We are the only mammals on the planet to have an earth and sky alignment. Our feet are firmly planted on the ground and our spines are long, tall, reaching towards the sky. This upright alignment is how we interact in our world and is one of the reasons parents feel overjoyed when their little one sits up right. They are finally becoming more "human". In a seated position your baby can take in their world and interact with more objects. There is great confidence about an independent sitter. Their eyes are open, clear and alert. Their spine is strong, reaching upwards and their sit bones are grounded. They are not tottering side to side and they're not slumped over or slouched in any way. That strong, independent sitting position is a lot of work for babies. Their curves had to develop through all the preceding patterns to find this position. When we try to place a baby (unsupported) in a seated position it starts to develop the spinal curves out of sequence. It forces the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) curves to become dominant, not the thoracic (middle back).
If we think of the developmental patterns that occur in a babies life, we can view them as puzzle pieces; sitting is a piece of that puzzle. Every baby is unique and therefore has their own puzzle they have to figure out. When we come along and place a baby in a seated position we just completed a big chunk of their puzzle for them. This "arrival" is not something they accomplished on their own, it's actually something they have been denied. Just like working with a real puzzle it takes time, it takes piece by piece to see the whole picture start to come together. It takes lots of patience and perseverance. So, what can you do to help your baby? Tummy time! Encouraging more time on their tummy is extremely important as it takes lots of practice. Get down on the floor either on your tummy or back and play! Encourage your baby with cheers, touch and have fun. The recommendation is 30-40 minutes a day of tummy time play. This doesn't happen all at once, that would be way too much work! Acknowledge all the hard work your baby is doing and be sure to praise and give them rest when needed. In my classes we always go right into some heart to heart time after tummy time work. Be sure to support and appreciate your babies own creative way to solve their bodies puzzle. Letting them put together their own puzzle develops balance, sequencing skills, coordination, spatial awareness, and a great sense of self-accomplishment. When those things are achieved we see children that have a positive body image, self-image and self-esteem.
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Ansley DeLaney
Ansley has been teaching Infant Movement classes since 2013, after studying Developmental Movement with Ellynne Skove. Since completing her training Ansley has taught all over the New York, New Jersey, Boston and now Florida. Ansley is certified in Level 1 Reiki and has completed her 200hr YT. She is passionate about empowering, nurturing and providing care to all families as they encounter the demands and joys of parenthood. Through her work she is able to soulfully fulfil her greatest ambition; to care for others. Archives
September 2018
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