Owl is the Tatty Bumpkin Posture of The Week

The posture of this week in Tatty Bumpkin classes is OWL – just right for this spooky time of year!

How to do Owl Pose

Kneel on the floor & sit back on your heels with your arms by your sides. Then kneel up, taking your bottom off your heels, & spread your arms out to the side & over your head. Hoot “Twit Twooo!”

Make it easier

It is important that your child feels they can succeed. If they look unbalanced & worried whilst doing the pose, guide them to move their arms out to the side & over their heads whilst they are sitting on the floor, either cross-legged or with their legs straight out in front. In this seated position your child will find it easier to balance & hence they can concentrate on moving their arms in a better pattern. But remember there is no right or wrong way with Tatty Bumpkin, the important thing is your child feels they have enjoyed themselves!

Want to make it harder?  

Okay, start squatting down, balancing on your toes with your arms by your sides. Then rise up into standing waving your arms over your head as before. Hoot “Twit Twooo!” Bring your arms back down to your sides whilst you squat back down on the floor. Repeat a few times to become a truly wise owl!

Why it is ‘Good For Me’

1. Owl pose develops your child’s balance & core muscle strength i.e. their hip, back, tummy & shoulder muscles. 
2. Moving from squatting to standing positions will strengthen hip & leg muscles. 
3. When your child moves their arms as owl wings they will automatically activate their shoulder muscles which is great for developing writing skills i.e. when the shoulder muscles are active & strong, they will support the weight of the arm, leaving the smaller hand muscles free to do more dextrous activities. Hand ache from writing or a tight pencil grip could be a sign that your child is tending to use their hand muscles to support their arm rather than their shoulder muscles.

Make Owl Pose Multi-Sensory, Educational & Fun

Through the magic of a Tatty Bumpkin class owl pose becomes both a multi-sensory and an educational activity.  In Tatty Bumpkin classes we always stimulate a variety of senses, to add to the fun, give choice & to help the learning process.

Our classes are all linked to the new 2012 EYFS framework meaning that your child will have the opportunity to progress in all areas of their development, giving them a truly holistic experience. 

Children love doing things together, by watching others they also learn a great deal – often finding out a better way of doing things.

Tatty Bumpkin will be doing owl pose as part of her adventure to visit the owl family. Wrapping the pose inside a story, means your child will not realise they are doing an exercise & their imagination will take flight too! Find your local Tatty Bumpkin class at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html