When we think of “core strength,” most people picture sit-ups or gym workouts.

But for children, especially those with developmental delays or motor challenges, the core is far more than just abdominal muscles. It is the center of control for posture, balance, movement, and coordination.

At HEROES Physical Therapy, we often tell families: if a child’s core is weak, everything else will struggle to work well. From walking and running to sitting and writing, core strength supports nearly every aspect of a child’s daily life.

This article explains what core strength really means, how to recognize when it is weak, and what can be done to improve it—at any age or ability.

What Is “Core Strength” in Children?

The core includes muscles in the abdomen, back, pelvis, and trunk that stabilize the spine and support movement. In children, these muscles are responsible for:

• Sitting upright without leaning or collapsing

• Keeping balance while walking, running, or climbing

• Controlling posture during transitions (from sitting to standing, crawling to walking)

• Coordinating both sides of the body

• Supporting breathing, swallowing, and speech production

Strong core muscles give a child a stable foundation to build all other motor skills. When the core is weak, the body has to work harder to perform even basic movements.

Signs Your Child May Have Weak Core Strength

Children with core weakness may show signs that are easy to miss or misinterpret. Common indicators include:

• Slouching or leaning while sitting

• Propping with hands to stay upright (tripod sitting)

• Avoiding tummy time or crawling during infancy

• W-sitting as their preferred seated position

• Frequent falls or poor balance during movement

• Trouble getting up from the floor

• Fatigue after short periods of play or activity

• Poor endurance for tasks like stairs, bike riding, or climbing

• Delayed gross motor milestones (rolling, sitting, walking)

• Coordination difficulties (running into things, clumsy movements)

These signs are not about laziness or lack of interest. They are often the result of an underdeveloped postural system that makes movement harder than it should be.

How Core Weakness Affects Function

The effects of poor core strength show up across multiple areas:

1. Movement and Balance

Without a strong trunk, children struggle to maintain their balance while walking, climbing, or running. They may fall more often, avoid playground equipment, or fatigue quickly when trying new tasks.

2. Posture and Sitting

Poor core strength makes sitting upright difficult. Children may constantly shift, slump, or lean onto furniture. This can interfere with focus, school readiness, and participation at the dinner table or during play.

3. Fine Motor Skills

Yes—core strength even affects fine motor tasks. A stable core allows the arms and hands to move with control. Weak trunk support makes tasks like writing, drawing, and self-feeding much harder.

4. Speech and Breathing

Core muscles support respiration and breath control, which are essential for speech production. A weak core can contribute to low volume, fatigue during talking, or mouth-breathing postures.

5. Confidence and Engagement

Children who feel unstable in their body often hesitate to try new things. This leads to fewer movement experiences, which delays growth and impacts confidence. A stronger core increases not just physical ability, but emotional security.

What Causes Poor Core Strength?

There are many reasons a child may have low core strength. Some of the most common include:

• Low muscle tone (hypotonia)

• Sensory processing differences

• Neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy

• Developmental coordination disorder

• Premature birth

• Extended time in positioning devices (swings, bouncers, car seats)

• Lack of physical exploration during early development due to medical or social reasons

Even children without a formal diagnosis can experience significant functional limitations from a weak core.

How Pediatric Physical Therapy Helps

At HEROES Physical Therapy, improving core strength is one of the most foundational parts of every care plan. We assess posture, strength, tone, and movement patterns, and build exercises around the specific needs of each child.

Core strengthening in therapy is:

• Play-based: using movement games, climbing, obstacle courses, and equipment

• Gradual and consistent: focused on muscle endurance, not just power

• Sensory-informed: supporting regulation and arousal through movement

• Functional: embedded in real-life tasks like standing, walking, and self-care

• Collaborative: involving caregivers in strategies that can be used at home

We also adapt every activity based on what your child can currently do. Whether they are crawling, cruising, or walking independently, there are targeted ways to build core activation.

Examples of Core-Strengthening Activities

Here are a few simple, child-friendly strategies we use in therapy and recommend for home:

• Tummy time (yes, even for older kids!) using slanted surfaces or therapy balls

• Wheelbarrow walks or crawling over couch cushions

• Kneeling games with reaching or toy play

• Yoga poses like plank, downward dog, or seated twist

• Wall sits while singing songs or reading stories

• Riding toys that require balance and steering

• Climbing stairs, slides, or soft gym structures

• Animal walks (bear, crab, frog)

Even short bursts of daily movement can lead to meaningful change. When paired with therapy guidance, these tasks become therapeutic—not just physical play.

When to Seek an Evaluation

If your child is struggling with posture, movement, endurance, or confidence—and you suspect weak core strength may be involved—it is worth scheduling a physical therapy evaluation. You do not need a referral to get started.

At HEROES, our evaluations are play-based, personalized, and focused on understanding your child’s full developmental picture. We explain what we see, why it matters, and how to help.

Whether your child is mildly delayed or facing more complex challenges, strengthening their core can unlock the next stage of movement and independence.

To learn more, visit heroespt.com.