Currambine Early Learning Family Day Care

Currambine Day Care - Family Day Care has vacancies. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please contact 0429547963.

Babies NEED tummy time! At 11 months old, this little cutie should have a nicely rounded head, developed S curves in his neck and low back, and flexible legs that move in and out of various sitting positions. But, largely due to lack of time on his tummy and OVERUSE of "baby containers" such as bouncy seats, swings, and car seat carriers that go from car to grocery store to restaurant, he has positional plagiocephaly (flat skull) a big ol' C curve in his spine preventing him from getting on hands and knees to crawl, and hips and legs so tight he can't even straighten his knees! And these are only the outwardly visible problems...too much pressure on baby's spine and vision centers of the brain from lying on their backs are detrimental to development! So....tummy time, tummy time, tummy time! Do it!
ADDITIONAL INSIGHT:
Tummy time IS absolutely important for development! It doesn't have to be on the floor, but can be on the caregiver's chest, supported over their lap or bent knees, or on a nursing pillow for younger babies. Many of the comments we've read are stating babies shouldn't be placed in "unnatural" positions or those they can get out of. As developmental therapists, we specialize in the timeline of babies moving from the flexion posture (fetal position) through anti-gravity extension. The ONLY "natural" position for a baby is flexion. If you lay an infant on their back, i.e. In extension their arms flail and they think they're falling (this is the Moro reflex) and is why we swaddle babies to keep their arms and legs tucked in close like they were in the womb. The flexion tummy time provides is in fact very safe and natural. We urge you to find a specialist in your area if your baby struggles with reflux and isn't tolerating tummy time that can help develop strategies that will promote being off of their backs. AGAIN, this post is directed to parents and caregivers of babies who are typically developing and not those with special needs or other medical diagnoses. The baby in the picture fits this description. It is not meant to be judgmental but informative on what CAN happen. We are so pleased that it has opened up conversation between parents and health care providers to help prevent these issues from occurring.

HAND STRENGTH allows children to perform many everyday tasks, including using cutlery, opening containers, doing buttons, brushing their hair, playing with Lego and writing.

It begins to develop from birth, with all the reaching, grasping, crawling (weight bearing through the hands), pulling to stand etc.

One of the most common reasons for decreased hand strength is joint hypermobility or low muscle tone (which children are born with).

Here are some of my favourite go-to hand strengthening activities for toddlers and children:

• “Pacman" (cut open a tennis ball, squeeze and feed!)⠀
• Squeezing pegs⠀
• Squeezing stress balls⠀
• Picking up small items with tongs or tweezers⠀
• Hammering activities⠀
• Theraputty or playdough⠀
• Construction games like Lego⠀
• Squeezing a spray bottle⠀
• Baking (stirring, rolling, kneading)
• Digging/gardening⠀
• Opening and closing jars⠀
• Tearing and scrunching paper⠀
• Cutting construction paper⠀
• Crab walking⠀
• Bear walking⠀ ⠀
• Monkey bars
• Weight-bearing yoga poses⠀
• Climbing⠀
• Crawling⠀
• Wheelbarrow walking
• Tug-o-war

You can find a handout with pictures of these activities for quick reference here: https://www.pcot.com.au/resources
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The proprioceptive system receives input from the muscles and joints about body position, weight, pressure, stretch, movement and changes in position in space.

Our bodies are able to grade and coordinate movements based on the way muscles move, stretch, and contract.

Proprioception allows us to apply more or less pressure and force in a task. Instinctively, we know that lifting a feather requires very little pressure and effort, while moving a large backpack requires more work. We are able to coordinate our movements effectively to manage our day’s activities with the proprioceptive system. The brain also must coordinate input about gravity, movement, and balance involving the vestibular system.

Kids who are showing signs of proprioceptive dysfunction might do some of these things:

+Appear clumsy
+Fidget when asked to sit quietly.
+Show an increased activity level or arousal level.
+Seek intense proprioceptive input by “crashing and bashing” into anything.
+Slap their feet when walking.
+Flap hands.
+Use too much or too little force on pencils, scissors, objects, and people.
+“No fear” when jumping or walking down stairs.
+Or, are overly fearful of walking down steps/jumping.
+Look at their body parts (hands/feet) when completing simple tasks.
+Sit down too hard or miss chairs when sitting.
+Fall out of their seat.
+Fluctuates between over-reacting and under-reacting in response to stimulation.
+Constantly on the move.
+Slow to get moving and then fatigue easily.

Proprioception activities are a good way to calm and organize your child.

Read more: https://www.theottoolbox.com/proprioception-sensory-activities/

⭐️ It's HYPERMOBILITY AWARENESS WEEK! ⭐️
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Time to share some facts about joint hypermobility, because knowledge is power.
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YES!!! 🙌

Family Day Care Vacancies Available
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Please call 0429 547 963

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