Exercises to Decrease Toe-Walking Behaviors

*These exercises are beneficial both for strengthening and for sensory input that will help to decrease
toe-walking behaviors

Stationary Activities

Standing on pillows or cushions

Squat position

Standing on a wedge (toes upward)

Childs Pose or Downward Dog yoga

pose

Reaching backwards
o This makes it difficult to maintain
standing position on toes and
encourages use of heels to keep
balance

Dynamic Activities

Heel-walking race or gameplay

Sit on scooter board and propel self with

heels on ground and toes pointed in the air

Balance on one foot and with the other

foot pick up marbles or other small items
with toes, dorsiflex at the ankle, and then
place the marble/item in a container
o Challenge and sensory input can be
increased by performing the
activity on a cushion or pillow on
the floor

Walking on a surface with give (i.e.

cushion, sand, beanbag, etc.)

Draw letters of the alphabet in the air with

toes

Stretching
Manual Calf Stretch: Have the child sit comfortably
with his/her knee straight. Place
your hand between the sitting surface and childs heel so
you are cupping the heel in your hand, placing
your forearm, lengthwise, along the bottom of the childs
foot. Slowly place pressure on the foot with your arm so
that the toes point up and back towards the childs body.
Hold this stretch for 30 seconds and repeat 2 times.

Wall Stretch:
Have the child place his hands on a wall and point both of
his feet at the wall. One foot should be behind the other
as pictured to the right. Have the child bend his front leg
and lean into the wall while keeping his back leg straight.
He should keep both heels down on the floor during the
stretch. He should hold the stretch for 30 seconds and
repeat 2 times.

Towel Stretch:
Have the child sit comfortably on the floor with both legs
straight out in front. Wrap a towel around both feet
so that it is on the lower half of the nook of his foot. He
should hold onto the towel at both ends. Have him pull
the towel towards him while pushing his knees flat into
the floor and keeping his back straight. He should hold
the stretch for 30 seconds and repeat 2 times.

Heel Drop Stretch: Have the child stand on a step or a

curb and place one foot halfway on the step. He should
let the heel drop while the middle part of his foot remains
in contact with the step. He should keep the leg of
the dropped heel straight, and should
hold the stretch for 30 seconds and repeat 2 times.

References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3565400/
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/childrens-hospital/developmentaldisabilities/conditions/documents/toewalkinghep-2006.pdf
https://www.aea267.k12.ia.us/system/assets/uploads/files/1771/toe_walking_childrens_hospital_
of_minnesota.pdf
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/childrens-hospital/developmentaldisabilities/conditions/documents/toewalkinghep-2006.pdf