ND Tip of the Month:
If you want your child to have the best of his or her learning abilities, there are some developmental steps that must NOT be missed. An infant's movements are all a part of God's plan to create the lower levels of organization in the brain. Without the organization, there will learning issues. Also, a well-functioning tactile system is imperative for receiving information and taking that potential to the next level, which will then be transmitted into producing intentional movement (crawling, walking, running, etc.).
Movement makes memories which cause the circuitry that releases intelligence.
There is tremendous brain growth in the early years. Unless the brain cells are connected through neuro-pathways that are built early, they can be lost. Early development is like building a house. You must have to have a good foundation in order for everything else to function properly.
The good news for an older individual is that even if these pathways are immature or incomplete, they can be rebuilt with proper stimulation.
Things to do for the best possible brain development for your child*:
*If your child is no longer an infant, it's never too late to "play" with them to get them to complete these important steps. Remember, you only need to take 2 minutes twice a day to see a difference. Just make it a part of your routine and have fun with your child. All kinds of floor activities will do the trick in most cases.
#1. For your infants, we recommend, as much as possible have them on their tummies during waking hours. Their brains need to map the sensory system (limbs and body), so the mind-body connections are well developed and the neuro-pathways are efficient in transmitting information to and from the brain.
#2. Creeping (which most of us call crawling) and Crawling (like an army crawl) has so many benefits when it comes to development of the neuro-pathways, as well as the muscles for sitting alone, standing and walking. These activities are also essential for proper eye teaming (eyes working together well.) The more, the better. Just make sure they are in a cross-patterning gait. (Right arm with left leg movements and left arm with right leg.)
#3. If a child does not go through the stages of tummy crawling and creeping on hands and knees for a long enough period of time, a ripple of adverse effects will occur. Gross motor coordination, organizational abilities and eye-hand coordination are just a few of the areas that could be adversely affected.
#4. The fact is, if the whole family would do these kinds of activities along with your little ones or big ones, for that matter, all would benefit! It would help to "tune up" their parent's organization and coordination, as well! The dividends will help everyone in the family in their communication with each other, because they'll be thinking more efficiently. It's a scientific fact; children learn best from their parents. Why not start 2010 with a plan to take 2 minutes, twice a day to help everyone in the family experience a better more organized brain. Make it fun for all and the results will amaze you!
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