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Neurodevelopment Teaching Tip of the Month LET'S GET MOVING! September 1, 2009 |
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By Jan Bedell, M.Ed., M.ND (Certified Neurodevelopmentalist) www.LittleGiantSteps.com 
Each of us is born with tremendous potential. A well-functioning tactile system [our sense of touch] 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 causes the circuitry that releases intelligence. There is tremendous brain growth in the early years and unless the brain cells are connected through neuropathways that are built early, they can be lost. It is a use-it-or-lose-it scenario. Early development is like building a house – you 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.
In recent decades, our society has become very mobile, with most families having two cars. And with the convenience of air travel, society as a whole is living farther and farther away from extended family members. Neurodevelopmentalists believe this separation from the extended family has caused many erroneous beliefs about child-rearing to emerge. The Neurodevelopmental (ND) Approach uses a Developmental Profile to look at two primary areas: Sensory Input and Motor Output. In the area of sensory input, auditory, visual, and tactile function is identified. In the area of motor output, gross motor, fine motor, and language function is identified. In order to have good output (function), you must first have good input (stimulation). MYTH #1: BABIES SHOULD BE ON A BLANKET IF PLACED ON THE FLOOR. TRUTH: The tactile input to the brain is limited by a blanket. In addition to that, have you ever seen an infant try to crawl (tummy on the floor) while lying on top of a blanket? They just get all tangled up and frustrated because they can't get anywhere. MYTH #2: INFANT SEATS [other than those required in a car] ARE A NECESSITY. TRUTH: The practice of having an infant sitting in an infant seat somehow makes them seem more human – it is easier to see their faces and for them to see you, and they seem happier. The truth is that the best place for an infant is on their tummy on the floor. ON the floor in a prone position (on the tummy) is where they build the muscles for sitting alone and walking. MYTH #3: WALKERS ARE A GREAT WAY TO PREPARE THE CHILD FOR WALKING ALONE. TRUTH: If a child does not go through the stages of tummy crawl and creeping on hands and knees for a long 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. [editor's note: these are vital, underlying skills necessary for learning to read, write, think, and communicate effectively]. MYTH #4: THE MORE GADGETS (i.e. Johnny Jump-Ups, fancy walkers, play pens, etc.) I PUT MY CHILD IN THE BETTER. TRUTH: The more time a child spends in these gadgets, the less time the child spends on the floor, which means less opportunity for the brain to be organized at the lower levels. Lower level development is the foundation upon which all other development is built. I encourage you to get your infants out of these gadgets and put them on the floor for lots of tummy time. Next month we will explore what to do if your older child missed these essential developmental stages. |
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