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Developmental Activity
of the Month
Permanent Sand Sculptures
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Do your kids get frustrated when they see their masterpiece
sand castle swept away by the waves? Now kids can craft a permanent sand
sculpture just by using sand, water and cornstarch.
What you'll need:
- 3 cups of sand ("play sand" from the hardware store works if you
don't have "beach sand")
How to make it:
- Mix the ingredients together in the pot
- With the help of a grownup, cook the mixture over low heat, stirring
constantly.
- When it starts to get thick, take it off of the stove and let cool.
- Once it is cool, use the spoon to turn it out onto the newspaper.
- Now you can make it into any shape you like,or put it into a sand mold and then let it air dry, and keep
your creation forever!
Tips:
Spray Pam or a lubricating spray into the mold to help the sand pop
right out of the sandcastle molds.
A hole poked into the top of the
sandcastle mold also may help.
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OUR SPONSORS
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Dear Parenting Digest Subscriber:
Summer is in full swing!
In this issue of Parenting Digest, one of our physical therapists explains why proper posture and positioning are essential for your child's play and movement. We also examine the effects of maternal depression on child development and next month in the August Parenting Digest we will continue to discuss how we as family members, friends and professionals can help depressed caregivers. Our craft this month allows your child to make a permanent sand castle to display indoors.
To help when planning vacations and summer outings you can also review some of the American Academy of Pediatrics Summer Safety Tips. Remember, if you can't find an answer on our website or if you have a specific question or concern about your child, you can always contact us at Ask A TherapistEarly Intervention Support is a place for families who are facing any challenge
pertaining to their child's growth and development. It is a place where you can
come to find answers and practical suggestions from licensed therapists on how
to work on a variety of issues. Whether you are a parent, grandparent or
therapist of a child with a disability, challenging behavior or other
developmental issue-childhood is short, it should be savored and enjoyed!  |
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FEATURED ARTICLE: The Importance of Posture and Positioning for Play and Movement
By Lynn Kisseloff, PT, MS, PCS
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As a pediatric physical therapist for
many years I keep returning to the idea that posture, alignment and
positioning are crucial for helping all children develop efficient
ways of moving for play and exploration. Let's start by talking
about infants and toddlers.
For many years now it has been
recommended that babies be placed to sleep on their backs. This
movement is now being called Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Reduce the
Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ( SIDS). If you Google "safe
sleep" on the web many hits come up. The site for The National
Institute of Child Health and Development ( NICHD) has a Safe Sleep
Top Ten List of how and why this is so important.
One of the most important items in the
Top Ten List is number ten ( to a physical therapist, all ten are
important) - reduce chances of flat spots developing on a baby's
head. I have noticed a great increase in infants developing flat
spots and different shaped heads ( when severe the medical term is
called plagiocephaly) . The NICHD recommends "tummy time" and "changing the direction the baby lies in the crib from one week to
the next" and to "avoid too much time in car seats, carriers,
bouncers etc." The other risk of too little tummy time and too much
time in carriers and similar equipment is tight neck muscles ( the
medical term is torticollis) which tilts the baby's head to one
side and turns it to the opposite side.
"Tummy Time " is integral to a
baby's development . One of my favorite brochures about Tummy Time
is "Tummy Time Tools" from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Click here to continue reading about the importance of posture and positioning for play and movement.
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The Effects of Maternal Depression on Infant/Child Development- Part One --on
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Research has shown that babies are born
ready to make secure attachments with their mothers, but there are
many factors that can disrupt a baby's secure attachment to its
mother. Developmental delays, prematurity and/or a NICU stay,
chronic illness (of child or parent), homelessness, substance abuse,
neglect and/or physical abuse can all be barriers to secure
attachment. One major factor that impedes secure attachment is maternal
depression.
Mothers who are suffering from
depression may often seem irritated, angry or on edge with their
child. They may lack the ability to read an infant's cues or respond
inappropriately or inconsistently to an infant's cues. They may
reject their child or criticize their child. They may overstimulate
their child or neglect their child's needs. They may have unrealistic
expectations for what is developmentally appropriate for their
child's age.
Of families enrolled in Early
Intervention programs there is a high rate of maternal depression,
estimated to be greater than 40%. This may be because there is guilt
or grief due to a child's diagnosis, family stress related to a
diagnosis, child & family services involvement, a feeling of being overwhelmed with
multiple therapies and/or doctor visits and financial related stress.
Research studies have found maternal
depression has a definite negative impact on a child's development
across all domains. Babies who begin life with a depressed mother are
more likely to form insecure attachments, have difficulty with
self-regulation, have decreased social and cognitive skills and may
develop later behavior problems.
Don't miss the next issue of Parenting Digest, where we will offer part two of this article and discuss what we can do as family members, therapists and
caregivers to help mothers cope with depression.
(Information summarized from a presentation given by Jil Hawk, Erin Troup, Sue Killmeyer & Melanie Hallums on Infant Mental Health 4-12-10, as well as Teis, Inc. staff discussions and the National Center for Children in Poverty. )
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Do you have concerns about your child's eating or sensory skills? If so and you are in the greater Pittsburgh, PA area visit the link below or call:
Thrive Place™ Child Development Center
GOOD THINGS HAPPEN HERE!
Thrive Place, 4070 Beechwood Blvd.,
Unit One Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-521-1067
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"Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the
beach." ~ Michelle Held
From The Team At Early Intervention Support
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