3. Week

Files:

Freeze Dance

1. Have your child run, jump and spin freely while the music is playing

2. When the music stops (or you clap your hands, when you do not have a possibility to put on and of music), the child freeze in his/her current position and hold it like a statue until the music starts playing again.

3. If it goes well, encourage the child to close is eyes when staying as a statue

Goal:

• Improve balance

• Improve body perception (proprioception)

• Improve paying attention

Sunshine

1. Have the child sit on the floor. Show how to curl up by crossing the right leg over the left leg and right arm over the left arm (or the left arms/legs over right), with the chin on the chest, shoulders relaxed, and eyes closed. Behind his back you put a pillow

2. On command (the sun is shining!), the child spreads arms and legs while simultaneously leaning a looking back (the pillow is under the shoulder blades, so the head is free to till back)

3. Then have the child bring chin to chest, lift up by bringing the body into curled position with the left leg over the right leg and left arm over the right arm (or if it had its right arm and leg crossed over the left, it will now have its left arm and leg over the right).

4. Repeat: approx. 6 times

Goal:

• Improve balance

• Inhibit Moro reflex (if persistent)

• Body awareness (right and left side discrimination)

• Bilateral coordination

• Motor planning and sequencing

Note: It is important the head will till back, so make sure the pillow is really under the shoulder blades. The pillow shouldn't be too high, because then he is lying with his head on the pillow and his head is more in a forward bend. But not too low either, because then he is lying with his shoulders on the ground and his head is not free to till back.

Puppy

1. Have the child lay on his tummy, legs extended, arms bend next to the body, so the elbows are in line with the shoulders, the head is resting on the forehead. Put a picture to look at under the nose of the child.

2. Encourage the child to lift his head (in extension of the spine) and look at the picture. He/she should lift just the head, not the trunk.

3. Then slowly it returns to its original position

4. Repeat approx. 6 times

Goal:

• Straighten the spine

• Learn to use and strengthen the deep trunk muscles

• Inhibit the Tonic Labyrinth Reflex (if it persists)

Note: the head must get in extension of the spine, not in a curve (when looking forward). Therefore, put the picture between the mouth and nose to look at it. When he lifts up his head to look at the picture, the head will automatically get into spinal extension, which automatically sends a signal to the brain to start using the interscapular muscles as well as the deep trunk muscles.

Geometric shape puzzles

We use the shapes from last week. Give the child instructions like: “put the small yellow circle next to the green square”. Use prepositions like: next to, to the right of, to the left of, above, below.

Goal:

• Learn orientation in space

• Learn to use prepositions

• Ability to work according to instructions

Steamroller

1. Have the child lay on his back or on his stomach depending on his mood

2. Slowly push a large ball (or pillow) against the child's feet, hold for a moment in the position and then slowly ease the load on the legs

3. Then roll the ball/pillow a little higher and push again, hold and slowly ease up

4. Massage the whole body except the head

Goal:

• Improve body perception (proprioception). Without appropriate proprioception it is impossible to sit or stand still and concentrate

• Relax

Note: Do this activity calmly! If you do it quickly, you are more likely to irritate the child and it is uncomfortable. Intentionally tell the child to try it on you. If he does it quickly, you will see that you are not comfortable, if he does it slowly, you will calm down beautifully and it will help you to feel your body. It's like a scanner - you don't want to miss any part of the body (except the head), don't pick up the ball, keep contact with the body all the time. The amount of pressure used during the massage should be adjusted according to the child's reaction, as some children may require more pressure to relax, while others may prefer a lighter touch. For instance, a child who is restless and uncomfortable may benefit from a firmer pressure, while other children may prefer a gentler touch.

Of course, we push less on the tummy and chest.

I hope you enjoyed the exercise and can look forward to the tactile game next week : -). I look forward to seeing you.