Isolated activities which address toe flexion and extension include the followin g: First passively bringing him

through the movement with your hands and then encou raging him to actively help you. Try tickling his foot if this is fun for him an d see if he curls his toes reflexively in play. If so, this is a good start. Having him rest his foot on a kleenex or paper towel and try to scrunch it by cu rling his toes. Encouraging toe wiggling in the water, sand, shaving cream or paint. Outside in the summer is a great place for this activity. As progression occurs, more difficult skills include: Picking up cotton balls with his toes and releasing them Picking up marbles with his toes and releasing them Picking up pennies with his toes and releasing them (this is easier on softer su rfaces) How to Strengthen Ankles - Best Way to Strengthen Ankles The ankle strengthening exercises for runners reduces the risk of spraining or f racturing the ankle. There are different reasons, which can cause damage to the ankle joint. It can be caused by walking or running on an uneven surface or even over use. So that the ankle joints do not suffer let s see how to strengthen ankl es after sprain or otherwise. Exercise to Strengthen Ankles # 1 This is an easy ankle strengthening exercise. The name of the exercise is standi ng and balancing. Stand with shoulder width distance between your feet. Slowly s hift your weight to the right leg and lift the leg off the floor. To balance kee p looking at an unmoving object. When you are standing in the position, you will realize that the ankle is moving constantly to adjust the weight on different p arts of the ankle. This helps in working the supporting muscles of the ankles, w hich in turn helps to strengthen the ankle. Release the position and repeat the same on the other leg as well. Exercise to Strengthen Ankles # 2 This a great exercise to strengthen ankles for running. It is a simple exercise known as step ups. You will need a step stool or a stair case to do this exercis e. Place the right foot on the stool and leave the other foot on the ground. Slo wly lift the left foot off the ground, and straighten the right knee. Bring the left foot back to the ground and repeat the exercise on the right foot 10 to 12 times before you swap legs. Exercise to Strengthen Ankles # 3 The next exercise is the ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. To do this exerc ise, you will have to roll up a towel under the right calf and bend the left leg . Lock the right knee and flex your foot towards your body. Hold the position fo r 10 to 12 seconds, release the position and repeat the exercise 6 times on the right leg, before you swap legs. Exercise to Strengthen Ankles # 4 The next exercise is an ankle stretch. Stand facing a wall with hands at chest h eight. Place the right toes close to the wall and the left foot about a foot awa y from the wall. The toes of the left foot face the wall. Gradually roll your we ight gently on the border of the left foot. Lean the body on the wall, as you st raighten the left knee. You will feel a stretch on the left calf. Hold the posit ion for 10 to 12 seconds. Release and repeat the same on both the legs 8 to 10 t imes. There are different isometric exercises which can also be practiced, but they sh ould be performed in front of a health care provider. Now you know how to streng

then ankles with exercises. While doing the exercises, if you feel any kind of a nkle pain in the ankles or in any part of the foot, stop doing the exercise imme diately. If you have hurt your ankle, then talk to your health care professional , before you repeat the exercise