The Benefits of Vertical Play

As parents, we are always seeking ways to support our children's development. One often overlooked but highly beneficial method is vertical play.

What is Vertical Play?

Vertical play basically means engaging in activities on vertical surfaces—such as easels, walls, or vertical boards. It offers many developmental advantages over horizontal play and is highly recommended by most paediatric therapists!

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What are the Benefits of Vertical Play?

1. Enhances Gross and Fine Motor Skills

Vertical play requires children to reach, stretch, and move their arms in ways that strengthen the muscles in their hands, wrists, and shoulders. It also naturally extends the wrist into a position that encourages better pencil grasp. Whether they are drawing on an easel or placing magnets on the fridge, these activities promote dexterity and control in the muscles and joints in the upper extremities, which are essential for tasks such as writing, buttoning clothes, and tying shoelaces.

2. Improves Core Strength and Promotes Proper Posture

When children engage in vertical play, they often stand or kneel, which usually involves midlife crossing, help develop core muscles and naturally encourages better posture. Unlike sitting hunched over a table, which promote slouching and hunching forward, vertical play promotes an ergonomic alignment of the spine and strengthens the muscles that support good posture.

3. Promote Bilateral Coordination and Midline Crossing

Activities on vertical surfaces may require children to practise their bilateral coordination, such as using one hand to hold a stencil or paper, while drawing or writing with the other hand. Children are also more likely to practise midline crossing as they have to reach across a big vertical surface with their dominant hand. 

4. Boosts Cognitive Development

Vertical play often involves problem-solving and critical thinking. For example, placing magnetic letters on a board to spell words or arranging pieces in a vertical puzzle challenges children to think spatially and logically. These activities stimulate brain development and improve cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, and planning. 

5. Promotes Visual Tracking and Hand Eye Coordination

Visual tracking—the ability to follow moving objects with the eyes—is a crucial skill for reading and many other activities. Vertical play can enhance this skill as children move their eyes up and down or side to side while interacting with objects on a vertical surface. This practice can improve their ability to follow lines of text and track moving objects in their environment.

6. Fosters Creativity and Expression

Vertical surfaces provide ample space for children to express their creativity freely. Whether painting on an easel, writing on a chalkboard, or arranging shapes on a magnetic board, children have the freedom to create large, expansive works of art. This allows children to express themselves freely, which is essential for emotional development and boosting self confidence.

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Photo credits: @magplay_au

 How to Incorporate Vertical Play at home or in a classroom?

Incorporating vertical play into your child's daily routine is easy and can be done with simple tools and activities:

• Easels and Chalkboards: Provide a vertical surface such as an easel or a chalkboard at home where children can draw, paint, and write.

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• Magnetic alphabet letters and numbers: Use magnetic letters, numbers, and shapes to create educational and fun activities on vertical surfaces such as fridge or magnetic wall decalProduct Recommendation: Magnetic Letters and Numbers by Curious Columbus 

• Vertical Toys or Games: toys such as building blocks, magnetic tiles often involve kids to reach up to create tall structures and provide many benefits of vertical play 

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• Outdoor Activities: Encourage outdoor activities such as climbing or using large vertical surfaces outside to draw with chalk or washable paint.