By Sue Heron Programme Co-ordinator at Tatty Bumpkin and paediatric physiotherapist.
As I sit writing this blog the wind whistles round the windows and walls. Very appropriate as this week Tatty Bumpkin finds herself in the middle of a blustery, winter's day when a lonesome feather falls to earth on front of her….
Tatty Bumpkin 'Blowing Feathers' Yoga Breath Activity
Firstly, be safe - supervise young children at all times whilst they are playing with feathers. Feathers can go up noses, into eyes and, of course, end up being chewed or swallowed - always check for sharp ends! If your child is younger try making:
- A 'feather sensory bottle' - see http://teachingmama.org/how-to-make-a-sensory-bottle/ or http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/02/discovery-bottles-infant-please-always.html
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| See 'Fun at Home with Kids' |
- Felt feathers see http://bit.ly/1BLSzQ3.
Description of Feather Activity
Gather some feathers, felt or real. Use just a few - 2 or 3. Lots of feathers maybe great fun to start with - but your child is likely to their lose focus and become over-exited fairly quickly! Sit down with your child on a mat or on a clear space of carpet and take off your socks and shoes.- Visual sense - Take time to look closely at the feather – what colour is it? It may have many colours. What shape is it?
- Sense of touch - Show your child how they can stroke the feather over different parts of their body: down their arms, over their nose, forehead and cheeks - ask them how it feels? The feather will feel slightly different on your nose or cheeks compared to your arms. How does it feel between your toes?!
- Body movement senses (proprioception and the vestibular sense) - Bring in movement to your feather exploration to activate your body senses.
- Reach out or kneel up, throw the feather in the air, can you catch it?!
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| Can you catch your feather? |
- Thread the feather between your toes and see if you can wave it in the air using just your feet! Before you do this activity with your child check they have a clear space behind them then, if they do fall backwards, they won't bump their head. Show your child how they can support themselves safely through their hands as they do this game i.e. guide them to place their hands on the floor, behind or beside them, before they lift their feet up – hopefully your child will automatically start to take weight through their hands!
- Oral sense - Place a small container between you both, maybe put a toy bird inside – this is the nest! Encourage your child to blow their feather towards and into the nest. As your child blows their feather they will stimulate their oral sense whilst developing their eye-hand co-ordination and attention skills. Show your child how they can balance the feather on the back of their hand to blow it - this is often easier.
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| Blow your feather towards your nest - this requires concentration, breath control and eye-hand co-ordination - but it's fun to do! |
- Hearing sense - Does the feather make a sound as it moves? Does your breath make a sound? You can also do all of these activities to Tatty Bumpkin’s Feather song. This song has been specially written and composed to go with the activity - meaning the rhythm, words and melody encourage your child to engage with the game rather than be distracted by the music https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/this-is-the-life/id376347823.
The Benefits of Blowing Feathers!
1. Mindfulness and Self-regulation
Children are naturally mindful; they can be completely absorbed by the world - exploring it with all their senses. A child is ‘caught in the moment’, not distracted by the ‘what ifs’ or
‘if onlys’. Look how your child becomes absorbed in the feather - maybe they are fully immersed in trying to thread the feather between their toes. Your child needs the space and time to cultivate this precious natural born mindfulness as it can be quickly lost in the ‘hub bub’ of life.
‘if onlys’. Look how your child becomes absorbed in the feather - maybe they are fully immersed in trying to thread the feather between their toes. Your child needs the space and time to cultivate this precious natural born mindfulness as it can be quickly lost in the ‘hub bub’ of life.
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| Mesmerised by feathers! |
Encourage slow, controlled breathing. As your child take deeper breaths to blow the feather, their heart rate will automatically slow and their blood pressure will lower slightly – helping them to calm down and relax.
Look carefully at your child's tummy as they take their deeper breaths. You will probably notice their tummy moves outwards, as they take a deep breath in and moves inwards, towards their spine, as they breathe out. This diaphragmatic or tummy breathing is the natural breath pattern, free from social pressures ‘to keep the tummy in’! It indicates that your child is using their diaphragm muscle to breathe. Not only is this the most effective form of breathing it also leads to the activation of the core muscle area (see below). This tummy/diaphragmatic breathing pattern will help your child in times of stress and anxiety. With regular practice they will realise how breathing slowly and deeply can help them to self-regulate and calm their body and their mind.
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| A moment of cal |
2. Sensory Processing Skills
Sensory processing is the way we take in, analyse and respond to sensory signals from our bodies the environment. Although these processing skills develop naturally as we mature and explore our world, evidence strongly suggests that early life experiences can also have a big effect on their development. Indeed sensory experiences can re-wire the brain! In their e-book 'Sensory Processing 101' http://theinspiredtreehouse.com/our-book-sensory-processing-101/ the authors (Teachers, OT and PT therapists based in the US) suggest “Thoughtful guided exposure to playful sensory experiences is the best way to promote healthy development of the sensory systems". At Tatty Bumpkin we agree wholeheartedly!
Blowing feathers is a great way to develop your child’s oral sensory processing i.e. the way they receive, analyse and respond to information from their mouth and jaw. Children with good oral processing skills are able to:
- Eat a variety of foods – not being overwhelmed (too much) by different textures or tastes. Not only does this mean your child has a healthy, varied diet it can also ensure that they have plenty of chewing and biting experiences just through eating and so do not seek these out in other ways – too much!
- Cope with experiences such as tooth brushing or visits to the dentist
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| Blowing feathers for sensory processing skills |
3. Activation of the Diaphragm and other Core Muscles
As mentioned above your child is likely to be engaging their diaphragm muscle as they naturally tummy breathe. The diaphragm is a vital core muscle in itself and, when working well, will help your child to activate their other core muscle i.e. those in their back, tummy and hips. If your child is learning a new skill e.g. learning to: catch a ball, skip, stand on one leg or ride a bike, guide them to take a few deep abdominal breaths before they start. These breaths will not only help your child to regulate their emotions. to calm themselves and focus, they will also help your child to activate their diaphragm and other core muscles. ‘Breath holding allows your child to compensate and not use the crucial core muscles’ http://theinspiredtreehouse.com/child-development-core-strengthening-for-kids/
Interestingly, our adult breathing pattern can be exactly the opposite to a childs. Our chest rises we take a breath in and our stomach is drawn in as we contract our tummy muscles – but our diaphragm is not engaged. Whilst this might present a pleasing profile in a mirror, it reduces the volume of oxygen available, as we only partially expand our lungs, and results in weaker core stabilisation https://breakingmuscle.com/learn/how-to-activate-your-diaphragm-to-improve-breathing-and-performance.
If you are interested in learning how to retrain your breathing pattern for better posture and core stability two clear activities are shown by Blake Bowman at 'Guerrillazen Fitness' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdGC4Qr3hfM.
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| Retrain your breathing pattern for better posture and care stability |
So give yourself and your child a break - enjoy a few moments of exploration together with the sensory feather activity – it may well be the best thing you did all day!
Thank you to the staff and children at 'Nursery on the Green', Enfield, London for sharing their great Tatty Bumpkin class photos!
Love Tatty Bumpkin
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| Relaxation in a Tatty Bumpkin Session |
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