The benefits of using a trampoline for people with special needs
The main benefits include:
- Strengthening of limbs
- Numeracy
- Patience
- Communication
- Co-ordination
- Independence
- Self-confidence
- Balance
- Muscle tone
- Reaction speed
- Self-image
- Eye contact
- Sense of achievement
- Stamina
- Spatial awareness
- Body awareness
- Social awareness
- Consideration of others
- Trust and confidence in Coach/Assistant
- Colour recognition
- Increasing height and depth perception
- Fun and enjoyment
Other benefits include:
Stimulation of digestive system,
Improved bowel function,
Internal organ massage,
Clearing of toxins from the body.
How We Aim to Achieve These Benefits:
Strengthening of limbs
- Jumping straight
- Jumping astride
- Split jumping
- Gently bouncing on hands and knees
- Kneeling and bouncing gently - holding coach's hands
- Seat drops
- Stretch the body into a seat drop
Numeracy
- Jumping and counting
- Jumping a set number of jumps or shapes
- Counting the jumps to a move e.g. 1, 2, 3, tuck jump
- Counting the stairs as they mount/dismount the trampoline
Patience
- Waiting their turn as they stand around the trampoline, or sit on the bench.
- Safe progressions of moves.
Communication
- Encouragement of each other when jumping
- Learning new words and signs associated with trampolining
- Using Makaton signs for trampoline skills
Co-ordination
- Jumping straight
- Jumping using arm movements
- Split jumping
- Jumping astride
- All shaped jumps
- Seat drops
- Hands and knees bouncing
- Mirror image of coach
- Back bouncing
Independence
- Progression to bouncing or jumping on own
- Mounting/dismounting unaided
Self confidence
- Progression to bouncing or jumping on own
- Asking to try new moves
- Having done well during the lesson and been praised, going on to next session/lesson happy
- Knowing the names of moves
Balance
- Two coaches either side of pupil, walking the length of the trampoline
- Pupil walking the length of the trampoline unaided
- Standing still holding two hands, one finger, unaided
- Standing gently bouncing holding two hands, one hand, one finger, unaided
- Jumping clear of the trampoline holding two hands, one hand, one finger, unaided
- Coach standing behind pupil, holding under pupil's arms, gently bouncing
- Two coaches standing either side of pupil, placing one hand under pupil's arm pit, the other hand to hold pupil's hand
- Two coaches standing either side of pupil, each holding only pupil's hands
- Two coaches standing either side of pupil, pupil lightly resting his/her hand on theirs, progressing to pupil not touching, but coaches staying very close
- Hands and knees bouncing and back bouncing
Muscle Tone
- Controlled jumping and shapes
- Hands and knees bouncing
- Seat drop
- Sitting bouncing and back bouncing
Reaction Speed
- Repetition of moves
- Coach praise
Self Image
- Peer approval
- Achievement
- Coach praise
- Progressions
- Feeling good having worked hard
Eye Contact
- Face to face jumping
- Pupil in bean bag
- Sitting face to face
- Pupil sitting, coach standing across legs and holding hands
Sense of Achievement
- Praise from peers, coach and visitors
- Progression through the Winstrada development and award scheme
Stamina
- Controlled jumping
- Regular sessions
Spatial Awareness
- Standing in the middle
- Shaped jumps
- Twisting jumps
- Bouncing using arms
Body Awareness
- Pupil lying on trampoline - Coach gently bounces sections of trampoline near different parts of pupil's body, so that the pupil can feel the movement
- Help pupil to curl up then stretch out
- Lay pupil on his/her back, raise the legs, keep hold of them and gently bounce
- Mirror image of coach
Social Awareness
- Waiting their turn as they stand around the trampoline, or sit on the bench
- Watching others and commenting on their performance
- Recognising success and applauding it
- Responding to that recognition
Consideration of Others
- Waiting for other pupil to get off the trampoline before mounting for their own turn.
- Applaud peers
- Helping others to mount/dismount
- Helping others less able on the trampoline
- Trust and Confidence in Coach/Assistant
- Attempting new moves
Colour Recognition
- Blue and red side pads
- White webbing
- Red square, cross, lines
Increasing Height and Depth Perception
- Controlled high and low jumping
- Mounting/dismounting the trampoline correctly
- Being able to locate the centre of the trampoline
Fun and Enjoyment
The added benefits of stimulation of the digestive system, improved bowel function and internal organ massage are achieved by the rhythmic acceleration and deceleration, and increase and decrease in weight offered by movement on the trampoline.
The clearing of toxins from the body is a process brought about by bouncing on a trampoline causing stretching and contracting of cells in the body.
