10 Benefits of Using Vertical Surfaces and Vertical Activities

During Learning and Play

There are so many benefits of using a vertical surface for toddlers,
preschoolers, and school-age children. And it’s such an easy way to simply
change the position of what the child is already doing during play and learning
activities.

The following is a summary of the ten benefits to vertical surface activities for
kids.

1. Working on vertical surfaces gives proprioceptive input through

the lower body
The pressure input through the feet and legs can be alerting for children while
standing or kneeling. It increases blood flow through the body and brain.
Alerting input increases attention and wakes up the brain for learning.

2. Vertical surface activities work on core stability and balance

Slight shifts in weight when standing up impacts core stability and balance.
Kids reach up and around at a vertical surface which activates core muscles
and strengthens the back muscles. This shifting and swaying stretches core
muscles which also works on and supports balance skills.

3. Activities on a vertical surface improve posture in the spine and

neck
Standing upright at a vertical surface (with objects at eye level or higher) aligns
the spine and improves neck position. Children aren’t able to prop or rest on
another surface when standing upright. They keep their trunk or core in a more
upright position when working at a vertical surface and looking at their work
directly in front of them.
4. Vertical work increases upper body strength and shoulder
stability
The shoulder works against gravity when standing at a vertical surface. A
child’s body requires the shoulders and muscles of the arms to be strong and
stable in order for the hands and fingers to work well during fine motor tasks.

5. Activities in a vertical plane help with bilateral integration and

stability in the non-dominant arm
If a child holds a piece of paper against a flat vertical surface, the non-dominant
hand is required to work harder at keeping the paper still. The kid has no other
way to keep the paper in front of them without the helper hand!