Starfish Therapies
Starfish Therapies Newsletter
Happy Fall!
November 2012
Volume 48
In This Issue
Updates
Out and About
Just For Fun
Obesity and Gross Motor Development
Get Smart About Antibiotics
Starfish Updates
starfish
Blog:
Check out our most recent blog posts! We have a few posts on handwriting such as: the key components, and developing a writing grip.  We also looked at various pieces of motor planning such as: the pieces of motor planning, overview of motor control, and stages of motor learning.  Here are some on walking:  how your feet hit the ground, treadmill training and CP, development of walking, internal rotation and walking, and knowing what shoe to get your child. And our other posts covered diverse areas such as: safety with carrying kids, the Perplexus, making books that are meaningful, guided access on the ipad, a fun multi-tasking activity, ideas to increase activity, tummy time, postural control, early motor skills and language development, and oral motor questions.    We would love to hear any ideas you have for blog topics please email
Stacy with your ideas.     
  

 
Motor Smart Kids
Motor Smart Kids: 
Our next 6 week session began Tuesday November 6th from 2:45-3:30.  Cost is $90 for all 6 sessions or $20 for drop in sessions.  For any questions or to still sign your child up please call or email Corinne at 650-638-9142. We hope to see your child at group!

Finger Pump Up:
We are offering a one time Fine Motor Group on the Friday after Thanksgiving 11/23 from 12-1pm.  Cost is $20.
Learn different and fun ways to work out those hands and fingers. This class involves both movement and seated activities that work on fine motor strength but are fun and motivating at the same time.
Please call or email Corinne at 650-638-9142 to sign your child up.



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Out and About
Red Cross  

Hurricane Sandy:
  Being from the South Jersey Shore, I am acutely aware of the devastation Hurricane Sandy left in its path.  The red cross is stepping up to help those in need, especially during this holiday time when many are suffering major losses.  Please take a moment and see how you too can help.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Craft Corner
Thanksgiving  
Thanksgiving:  We wanted to share some crafts and activities for the Thanksgiving holidays...
Greetings!

Welcome back! Enjoy reading for some fun turkey day craft ideas as well as to find out about some current research in pediatric physical therapy.
Obesity and Gross Motor Development: Article Review

 
kids In order to follow up on last's month information regarding  the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) campaign to increase physical activity in the general population, we decided to take a look at an article published recently in the pediatric physical therapy journal. It specifically looks at the relationship between body weight and gross motor development. 

The study examined the gross motor abilities of girls and boys of kindergarten age, ranging from approximately 4-6 years, in different weight categories. Age, gender, height, and weight were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI).  Using BMI, the children were classified as underweight, healthy weight, over weight, or obese based on the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) BMI-for-age growth charts which are available online. More about BMI for children and teens can be found here.

The results of the study found that children in the obese category scored lower on gross motor skills where movement or stabilization of body mass was required.  For example, children in the obese category hopped fewer times on one foot and jumped shorter distances.  Another interesting finding was that some children in the underweight category also received lower scores on some gross motor skills such as hopping on one foot. This study differed from others in the past it looked at the influence of weight on individual gross motor skills rather than just a total composite score.  They found that gross motor tasks involving movement of body mass such as jumping, walking backwards, and hopping were more difficulty for children in the obese category whereas there was no significant difference between weight categories for a manipulative task such as catching a ball.

Due to the design of the study, a causal link between weight and gross motor abilities cannot be determined and therefore, it remains unclear whether obesity leads to decreased gross motor abilities or whether limited physical ability ultimately influences weight status.  Another limitation is that activity level and nutritional status of the children were not quantified in order the assess their influence on gross motor and physical ability.

As clinicians, we are continuing to explore the relationship between weight and physical ability and further research is warranted in this area.  However, it gives us a good start to be aware that children in the obese category will be at risk for gross motor delays and we can focus efforts on preventing this with early intervention.  As a society, we are more and more aware of the detrimental health risks associated with obesity and even greater potential to develop health complications if obesity is present from early on in childhood or adolescence. However, why is it so important for a child to be able to hop and jump more proficiently? To us, it is simply an indicator of how physical active that child is likely to be.  A child who has a difficult time running and jumping may be less likely to want to join a basketball team and more likely to choose sedentary hobbies therefore, leading to further risk of weight gain and decline in motor proficiency.  While it is not important for all children to be basketball superstars, it is important for them to be physically active.  Click here to read the CDC's recommendations for physical activity for children. 

If you have concerns regarding your child's weight or physical abilities talk with a health care professional to determine the appropriate course of action.

Roberts et al. Weight Status and Gross Motor Skill in Kindergarten Children. Pediatric Physical Therapy 2012;24: 353 - 360. 

Get Smart About Antibiotics Week

 

This week is the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) get smart about antibiotic awareness week.  Since children are more susceptible to various cold/flu illnesses, especially this time of year, we thought this would be worth exploring.  The CDC informs that antibiotics do not treat infections caused by viruses such as most sore throats (with the exception of strep), bronchitis, and most colds just to name a few examples. The purpose of the awareness week is to encourage everyone to discuss options clearly with pediatricians and doctors before deciding that a course of antibiotics is the best option as  unneeded use of antibiotics can lead to future antibiotic-resistant infections.  Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem and a large public health risk. 

The CDC as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are strongly encouraging you to talk with your doctor or pediatrician when you or your child are sick to understand the nature of the illness and determine whether antibiotics are truly necessary. Of course every situation is different and therefore, an informative choice should be made between you and your healthcare provider.  For more information regarding this topic as well as some do's and dont's click here.   
Thank you for reading this month. See you back in December. Have a happy start to the holiday season!  
 
Sincerely,
 

Your Friends at
Starfish Therapies