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Starfish Updates
New Staff: Its been a while since we were able to bring on board a new PT but we were lucky enough to have Samantha Dutrow join our team. Here is her bio:
Samantha is a midwest native and graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri with a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science and then went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. Samantha has experience working with children in a variety of treatment settings, including: acute care, early intervention, schools, outpatient, and aquatic therapy. She has worked with children with various diagnoses including, but not limited to: Down Syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, Prader-Willi, hyptotonia, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, torticollis, Cornelia de Lange syndrome, DiGeorge Syndrome, and Trisomy 8 syndrome. Samantha utilizes her knowledge of movement analysis to identify improper movement strategies and develop treatment sessions to help children develop the resources, strength, and coordination needed to move, play, and function more efficiently and effectively. She enjoys working with parents to develop physical therapy goals that are meaningful and will help the child achieve his or her greatest potential both in the near future and later in life. Samantha has always been a "kid at heart" and enjoys being creative and coming up with fun ways to make her kiddos laugh, play and enjoy their therapy sessions while growing stronger and achieving their goals at the same time. Blog: Check out our most recent blog posts.
Giving Back: This month our donation goes to Able Closet . We love to support our local resources especially since we utilize them frequently. They are a great resource for equipment for children and are continuing to grow. Please consider them if you have equipment that you aren't sure what to do with.
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Out and About
Who doesn't love Disney! Well I'm sure there are a few that don't but to me it always reminds me to be a kid again. Travel is More Fun With Kids posted a Complete List of Disney Resources whether its for one of their theme parks or their cruise. In addition they also published a Traveling with Tots Series that comes in 4 parts! (I'm linking to part 1 for your viewing pleasure).
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Just For Fun
Hello Hanna has created Hello Books which allows your child to explore their imagination on several different areas and expound on their ideas using stickers, coloring and writing. What a great way to share a story!
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Greetings!
Hello everyone! We hope you have continued to have a wonderful summer with fun adventures since we saw you last. Enjoy reading this month! |
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Importance of Physical Activity
 The "lazy hazy" days of summer may be upon us...however it's time to get up and get MOVING!!!! Obesity is quickly becoming a national epidemic and engaging in physical activity is one of the best ways families can fight obesity and its consequences. The Department of Health and Human Services' Physical Activity Guidelines state the following: - Children should get 1 hour or more of physical activity a day
- Adults should do 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate- intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity
The following are some tips and ideas to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine when you and your kiddos aren't busy working and sweating at Starfish Therapies! - Your family does not need to join a health club or buy fancy equipment to be active. Walking is easy and inexpensive! So is designing an obstacle course with whatever you can find lying around the house or garage, or even create one at a local playground.
- Children (and parents!) can incorporate exercises while watching television (or on commercial breaks!) such as crunches, push-ups, or running in place.
- Remember to plan time for exercise and physical activity as a priority for the whole family.
- Plan weekend activities centered on physical activity such as hiking, swimming, bicycling, mini-golf, tennis, or bowling
- Have a mini "Backyard Olympics" and create different games, events, sports to "compete" in. It could be a educational opportunity to learn about different sports and how they are played.
- Research shows that participation in individualized activities such as tennis, bowling, and swimming are the basis of lifelong fitness habits- encourage your children to get involved in these types of activities
- Consider setting fitness goals and using a fitness log to chart progress. You could set goals for a certain number of time, or distance walked, etc.
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Moving and Grooving
Dance is fun and exciting way for children to stay motivated to keep up with the motor skill level of their peers. On Thursday, July 21st, Starfish Therapies held their first trial dance class for children ages 4-6, to encourage movement and continue gross motor development.
Dance is a great way to improve balance, leg strength, coordination, and encourage correct postural alignment. In class many movements are preformed several times; this repetition allows the connection between the brain and muscles to essentially become stronger and therefore increase the ability of a child to perform the movement. Typical repetitive movements include Pliés, passes, and tandus. Pliés are fundamentally mini-squats which entail bending your knees and straightening them in a controlled manner; this greatly helps improve leg strength and postural control as you must keep your body upright throughout this exercise. Passés aid in increasing balance as they involve the child to stay stationary as they stand on 1 foot without swaying their upper body. Tendus encourage total body awareness and motor planning as the child must properly shift their weight over one leg so that they can successfully move their other leg forward, without shifting the rest of their body. Throughout class, standing on tip toes helps to increase calf strength while jumping improves coordination and postural control.
Most importantly, when in dance class, children don't know that they are working! This is an age-appropriate and enjoyable activity for kids. It is ideal for children with low muscle tone as either and adjunct to their current physical therapy program, or as a transitioning period for when discharge from PT is appropriate but you want to make sure your child continues to develop with their gross motor skills and prevent regression. The class held at Starfish was a onetime only event taught by a current PT student, Lucy, who is writing her thesis on the beneficial effects of ballet for children with low muscle tone. If you would like more information about the benefits of a dance program, feel free to contact her at lucy.richert@gmail.com.
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We appreciate your continued support as the Starfish family continues to grow! Look forward to bringing you more information next month.
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Sincerely,
Your Friends at
Starfish Therapies
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