Playground "Therapy" for Child Development

If you’re concerned about your child’s strength, coordination, or how confidently they move through their environment- you’re not alone. Whether it’s keeping up with peers, navigating stairs at school, or simply managing obstacles around the yard, these everyday movement challenges can leave parents wondering where to start.

The good news? One of the most effective tools to build these skills might be right around the corner - your local playground.

At COMO Therapy, we’re big believers in using natural, play-based environments to build your child’s physical skills and confidence through paediatric physiotherapy. The playground is full of opportunities and can act as a form of "therapy" that parents can use to support child development in ways that are fun, free and incredibly effective both children and parents.

Why Do Playground Activities Matter?

Climbing, jumping, sliding, swinging- they’re not just for fun (though that’s important too). These activities are doing serious work behind the scenes, helping your child's development with the following:

• Balance and coordination

  Balancing on beams or climbing structures challenges your child’s ability to stabilise their body and adjust to changes in position.

• Muscle strength and endurance

  Activities like climbing ladders or pushing off on a swing strengthen the core, arms, and legs-  all essential for posture, running, and sitting at a desk.

• Motor planning

  Figuring out how to move from one step to the next builds planning and sequencing skills, which also support cognitive development.

• Sensory processing

  Swinging, spinning, and climbing help your child’s body learn how to process movement (vestibular input), pressure (proprioception), and touch - all of which support calm regulation and body awareness.

• Confidence and independence

  Each time your child masters a new challenge- even a small one- they’re building self-belief and resilience.

Playground Skills Help with Everyday Life

The benefits of the playground don’t stop once your child goes home. Movement skills developed through play carry over into daily life, helping with:

• Navigating school environments (stairs, playgrounds, classrooms)

• Participating in sports and group activities

• Sitting upright for longer periods

• Reducing trips and falls

• Improving concentration and focus through better body regulation

Tips to Make the Most of Playground Time

You don’t need a formal session or special instructions to make playground time valuable- but a few simple strategies can help you get even more out of it:

• Follow your child’s lead: Let them explore what interests them- this supports motivation and confidence.

• Encourage variety: Gently prompt them to try different equipment (e.g., “Want to try balancing on this?”) to engage different muscle groups and movement patterns.

• Give your child confidence: If it’s a new activity or unfamiliar equipment, helping them through the first few times by doing the activity with them or holding their hand and body, can teach them how to motor plan and coordinate their bodies.

• Add challenges: Try games like hopping from one surface to another, climbing with one hand, or timed obstacle courses.

• Join in: Kids are often more willing to try new things when you do it with them.

Worried About Movement or Confidence? We Can Help

If your child avoids certain types of play, struggles with climbing (both up and down), coordination or balance, or seems to tire quickly- a paediatric physiotherapist can help. At COMO Therapy, we can assess your child’s motor development and work together on a therapy plan that supports their goals, both in the clinic and out in the real world (including the playground!).

As a Canberra-based paediatric physiotherapy clinic, we help children across Canberra and surrounding regions build the skills and confidence they need to move, play, and thrive.

The playground is therapy. Every jump, climb and wobble helps build the foundations your child needs to move, play, learn and thrive.

Contact COMO Therapy to book an assessment or chat with our team if you want support to help your child feel more confident navigating their surroundings