Has your child learned the ‘basics’ of movement yet?
One of my teachers in Human Design often says, “The advance work in anything is the basics done really well.”
We learn addition and subtraction in Mathematics before multiplication and division. None of us ever started running or jumping before we learned how to walk.
This is especially true when it comes to supporting the physical development of your child who is faced with special challenges.
Many parents bring their children to see me already knowing how to sit or stand, BUT having absolutely no idea how to transition into or out of these positions.
In a sense, these children were stuck and so were their parents who need to help them get into these specific positions while also supervising their child’s safety.
Needless to say, they were making very slow progress despite having well intended therapists.
“What happened?” you might asked.
My answer would be, “Does your child have the ‘basics’ down yet?”
Many of these children may have never rolled over before they learned to sit. Some may have never crawled before they learned how to stand. Some of them even dislike lying on their tummies and as such will not play in this position.
Whatever the reasons for their physical challenges, they may have missed out on the opportunities to learn the fundamental ‘Movement Vocabulary’ that typical children naturally acquire in their earliest stages of development.
These ‘basic’ movement components allow them to build more complex and advanced skills later on, such as transitioning into and out of sitting or standing.
During your child’s therapy session, my first step is to support your child to ‘feel in their body’ the movements necessary for them to roll over with ease. Once your child has an experience with this basic skill, they can then practice at home with your support.
Over time and with sufficient practice, your child will begin to develop a sense of confidence in their ability to direct their movements. This self-confidence can further motivate your child to cultivate an interest in exploring other movements while being on their tummy.
Without being aware of it, your child is actually ‘self-challenging’ their advancement into the next stage of development. As a result, they are more likely to continue to make progress on their own!
Remember. ‘The advance work in anything is the basics done really well.’
This is especially true when it comes to supporting the physical development of your special needs child!
