Starfish Therapies
Starfish Therapies Newsletter

Happy Summer!
 

June 2015
Volume 78
In This Issue
Starfish Updates
Motor Smart Kids

Developmental PlaygroupsWe are continuing to have our Developmental Playgroup for parents and their kids who are Pre-Walkers. Please don't hesitate to come on by! 

 

When:  Wednesdays 10am-11am  

 

**Demand is growing and there has been some requests for a smaller paid group in addition to the Wednesday group.  Please let us know if you are interested in this as well. 

 

WhereStarfish Therapies 

1650 S. Amphlett Blvd

Suite 108

San Mateo, CA 94402

 

Cost:  Free April 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015  

(cost as of October 1, 2015 TBD)

 

Contact:  For more information please contact Starfish Therapies 650-638-9142 or by email at [email protected] 


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Summer Time Fun



Summer is here and many of you may be looking for ideas of things to do with your kids.  We have searched and found a few ideas that you may like:
Therapeutic Benefits of Recreational Activities
MamaOT is hosting this great series on the therapeutic benefits of recreational activities.  Check out some of the great articles that various contributers wrote:


Welcome back! Happy Summer!  
To Flip-Flop or Not?

 

So, you're in the department store shopping for your kid, because they seem to be growing every week! They are in dire need of new shoes and it's summer, which means it's flip flop weather, right?!

 

Not so fast! Although, I love the cute sandals they have for kids now a days - I think it's important to look at how sandals may be effecting your child's walking.

 

When you think about how a tennis shoe is secured to your child's foot and then think about how a sandal is secured to your child's foot - they are very different. When you're wearing a tennis shoe you don't have to think about keeping the shoe on your foot, which allows your walking pattern to be similar to how you would walk barefoot.

 

Now, when you're wearing flip-flops, you have to secure the shoe on to your foot by gripping your toes into the sandal. This creates some confusion for your body. As you're swinging your leg through, your hip is moving up/forward, but your toes are pushing down trying to keep the flip-flop onto your foot - do you see the confusion? Not only is your body confused, but by gripping your toes onto the sandal it places pressure and tension onto parts of your lower leg and foot that were not intended for that purpose.

 

But it's hot out and my child and I need summer shoes! Consider a shoe that is secured to the foot - something that cups the heel. It can have straps and openings, but when the shoe isn't secured to the foot such as flip-flops and slippers - it places abnormal pressure and tension on your child's body.

 

 

Why Your Child's Inner Ear is Important for More Than Hearing

 

Imagine learning to stand for the first time, but everything around you appears to move. You can't stabilize your gaze and everything sort of spins. Now imagine learning to walk for the first time, except you can't focus on an object for balance. Either would be tough for anyone, especially a child.

 

That ability to focus your sight - That's what's called your vestibular system - and it's not a part of your eye. It's actually in your inner ear. It plays a large role in balance, telling you where your head is in space. In turn, your body responds to what you vestibular system is telling you.

 

 

But the vestibular system also plays a part in stabilizing your gaze. Try looking at an object in the room. While keeping the object in focus, shake your head from left to right - are you a little dizzy? Maybe... But were you able to keep that object in focus? Probably. That's because, while you were shaking your head from side to side, your vestibular system was communicating with little muscles around your eye, telling them to respond, which allows you to keep your focus (known as the vestibular ocular reflex, or VOR).

 

And if you weren't able to keep the object in focus? Well, it makes balance and development that much more difficult.

 

What could be a sign that your child's vestibular system isn't working properly? Some children may have trouble standing without holding onto a surface, and even fall when standing at a table without reacting to the fall (think of a falling tree). Others may have trouble walking without holding on to an adult or surface, with a tendency to rely too heavily on that support, at times appearing as an impulsive movement.

 

If you notice or are concerned about your child's vestibular function, it's a good idea to discuss it with your child's pediatrician. They can make a good assessment or help refer you to a specialist.

Thank you for reading. Have a great month! 
Sincerely,
 
Your Friends at
Starfish Therapies