Tatty Bumpkin at LolliBop - It was all about having fun as a family but we stretched and strengthened our bodies too!

This year, Tatty Bumpkin and her animal friends went, once more, on an adventure to 'LolliBop’ and made many, many new friends!

 

Tatty Bumpkin with her bees!

Her Yoga activity adventures took us........

To Tatty Bumpkin’s House on Wobble Farm

Here we woke up with Tatty Bumpkin, finding out if we could all touch our knees and then, maybe, our toes! Important to keep those hamstring muscles long so we can sit well and not strain out backs.

Over the Rainbow!

Where we enjoyed exploring with all our senses, investigating streamers, feathers, butterflies, brushes (spiders in disguise!) and even ‘slinkys. We calmed our bodies down a little, so we could concentrate on some pretty clever hand skills, by listening to the Tatty Bumpkin Butterfly and Feather songs http://bit.ly/1q2kqVQ.

Tatty Bumpkin Feather Song!

Into the Jungle...

Uh oh, be careful! Here we wriggled and squiggled as snakes under a cool green canopy, to the Tatty Bumpkin Snake song and balanced as trees, waving in the wind. All the time we were honing our core muscles and balance skills so we can sit, in a good position, almost without thinking whilst we are at nursery or school! We can then give more attention to those harder, thinking activities...

Off on our Bikes to the Windy Pond!

Tatty Bumpkin Cycling!

Here we discovered new co-ordination skills, and definitely strengthened our tummy muscles, whilst having fun altogether - well done to all the Mums and Dads! Strong tummy muscles help to provide a foundation for scribbling, drawing, writing and keyboard skills – you may also feel good about your body!

 

Then Finally Back to the Ducks and their Pond

Oh lovely! We just relaxed altogether, as a big family lying on the gorund, to the Tatty Bumpkin ‘This is the Life’ song http://bit.ly/1ogqNke. After all, with the entertainment across the fields, it had been an exhausting day!

A Tatty Bumpkin Relaxation

Thank you to everyone who came to our sessions and for all your enthusiasm! Thank you to Leia, Tatty Bumpkin teacher St Albans http://www.tattybumpkin.com/stalbans/, for leading the classes so well and thank you to Joni and all her team, from the South Bank Centre, https://twitter.com/southbankcentre for organising a very inspirational and varied kid’s area. Tatty Bumpkin loved hoola-hooping!

See some other reviews of what we all did at LolliBop at  https://twitter.com/lollibopuk

If you would like to find out about Tatty and Baby Bumpkin classes in your area please go to http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html


Or, if you think you could lead a Tatty Bumpkin class see http://www.tattybumpkin.com/business/index.html

This Week's Tatty Bumpkin Activity for Kids and Toddlers is Rain!

By Sue Heron – Training Co-ordinator Tatty Bumpkin and Paediatric Physiotherapist

In this blog I outline how to do a Tatty Bumpkin Yoga activity with your toddler or child, so you can do the activity with them at home. At the end of the blog I also outline some of the activity’s benefits for your child.

Please remember though, for you and your child to gain the full benefit of all the Tatty Bumpkin Yoga and multi-sensory activities, find out about your local Tatty Bumpkin class at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html.

Or why not ask your child’s nursery if they are using the ‘Tatty Bumpkin Kid’s Activity Programme’. Our qualified Tatty Bumpkin Teachers are fully trained in aspects of child development and Yoga and are kept fully up-to-date by our professional team of paediatric physiotherapists, Yoga teachers and musicians.

Or, maybe, you are thinking of a new career, which gives you:

• The opportunity to work with kids
• A great sense of job satisfaction and
• Flexible working to fit around your own family?

In which case - find out how you could be trained to deliver Baby and Tatty Bumpkin classes in your area at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/business/index.html. 

Tatty Bumpkin’s Rain Yoga Activity for Children and Toddlers

In the classes this week Tatty Bumpkin goes for an adventue in the rain!

Her 'Rain Yoga activity' helps your child to learn about different parts of their body and how to get their fingers moving quickly!

Rain activity also encourages your child to think about going for a  play in the rain – feeling raindrops on their nose or jumping in puddles! A recent review by Dr Tim Gill http://rethinkingchildhood.com/ highlights the benefits to children of playing outside so even on the rainy days – playing outside can be both fun and good for you!  

Description of The Rain Yoga Activity

There are a number of very good reasons to do Rain Yoga activity with your toddler or child:

1. Firstly, children under 3 years, largely learn new movements by copying others – especially their parents and ‘key people’.
2. Secondly, current research shows that young children bond with their parents and ‘key people’ not only through touch and by communicating with them, but also by moving with them.
3. Thirdly, as you do Rain pose, you will give your own body a chance to move and stretch!

So settle on the floor, with your young child sitting opposite you. If your child is older they may want to do Rain activity lying down next to you.

If your child is younger (Toddler age)

• Start by making sure your child is looking at you. Then gently, but firmly, tap down different parts of their body with your fingers – just like raindrops!

• To make sure they are taken by surprise, start by tapping your toddler on their hands and feet, move onto their arms and legs and then finally gently tap their middle and face areas.

• Keep checking your toddler to make sure they are enjoying the activity. Some will prefer lighter taps or strokes; some will enjoy a slightly firmer tap. Some will prefer the taps in a quicker rhythm; some will enjoy the taps at a slower pace! Keep looking at their responses to find out which kind of taps they prefer!

• As you tap down your toddler’s body, reassure them by smiling and talking to them e.g. you can make raindrop sounds “splish, splosh!”,  sing/say a ‘rainy rhyme’ i.e. “Incy, wincy spider”, or tell them the body part you are tapping - see Raindrop game below.

• As an alternative - try tapping down your toddler’s back whilst they are sitting or lying in front of you. Keep your taps slow and reassuring so they are not taken by surprise!

If your child is older

• Encourage your child to think about raindrops falling on their nose, ears, shoulders etc. and guide them to touch the various parts of their body with their fingertips.

• You can make the game a little harder by imagining the rain is now coming down heavily - and your child has to do 'raindrops' with both hands really quickly!

• See if your child can accurately touch their nose, shoulders, elbows, thighs, knees and feet with one finger from one hand and then with another finger from their other hand.

Games to Play Around Rain Pose

Raindrops Keep Falling on my Toes, Legs, Hands and Nose!! - Toddlers and Younger Children

• You can progress Rain pose by telling your toddler the name of their body part you are tapping e.g.  “I am tapping your foot, arm leg etc.” or perhaps “Raindrops are falling on your head, arms, feet!” 
• This game not only helps your toddler be more aware of their body, where it ‘starts and finishes’, it also introduces them to the idea that they can use gestures and pointing to communicate – see ‘Why it is Good for Me’ section.

As you do the game remember to use lots of clear facial expressions and gestures.

• Start by pointing at/touching a part of your body whilst saying its name e.g. Point to your nose whilst saying “nose”.    

• Then point to the same part of your toddler’s body, in this example their nose, whilst saying “nose”.

• You can progress the game by:

1. Asking your toddler, “Where’s your nose?” whilst encouraging them to point at their nose. Say “There it is!” when they point at or touch their nose 
2. Asking your toddler, “Where’s my nose?” whilst encouraging them to point to your nose. Say “There it is!” when they point at or touch your nose. Playing this game in front of a mirror is also good fun!

Where's my nose?!!

Listen to The Rain! 

• Encourage your young child to ‘drum their fingers’, like heavy rain, on different surfaces. This is  great for their fine motor skills and sense of rhythm! 
• Your toddler will love to play with a simple drum on the floor – and this activity has many benefits: 

1. It promotes their postural and balance skills by encouraging them to sit in all sorts of different ways, whilst reaching out in front and round to either side, of their body. 
2. It develops their fine motor skills as they learn how to grasp the drum stick and move it around in their hands. 
3. It helps their co-ordination and bimanual skills. At first your toddler will enjoy beating the drum with both their hands doing the same movement at the same time. At around 10 – 12 mths they will learn to ‘separate’ their arm movements so they can do one thing with one hand, whilst doing a different action with the other – this is the start of bimanual hand development and your toddler showing a hand preference. And, of course their ‘eye-hand co-ordination’.

Zac has fun with a drum! Do I hear raindrops?!

Raining at Nightime! - Older Children

If your child would like an extra challenge – see if they can do the activity with their eyes closed! To do this accurately your child will have to use their ‘proprioceptive’ body sense rather than relying on vision.

Why Rain Pose is Good for Your Toddler or Child

Toddlers

Rain Yoga activity gives your toddler the chance to:

Learn Early Communication Skills and ‘The Power of Pointing!’
Joint Attention
At approx. 8-9 mths your baby will have made a developmental leap in their communication -  they would have learnt how to shift their gaze (attention) between objects and people, this ability is called ‘joint attention’. Using this new found skill your baby or toddler can now:
Match spoken words, used by you and their other carers, to objects.
Gather information on ‘what to do next’. For example, if your young child meets a new person, they may firstly give them a wary look, and then they will look at you for guidance.
‘Ask’ for objects by looking at them and then back at you - using their eyes to point! 

Proto-imperative pointing
With improving body control and hand skills, your toddler will rapidly learn how to use their fingers to point, instead of just their eyes, as this is so much clearer. Indeed, they will soon learn the ‘power of pointing’ to get what they want! This kind of pointing is known as ‘proto-imperative pointing’ and is an important communication milestone as it means your toddler can start to ’tell you things’. 

Proto-declarative pointing
Aged about 14-15mths, your toddler learns another important skill. They start to use pointing, not only ‘to ask for something’, but also ‘to share something’ which interests them with you e.g. you are walking in the park with your toddler, suddenly they point at some ducks. In this case, your toddler does not want the ducks, they just want to share their excitement with you! This kind of pointing, to ‘declare an interest’, is called ‘proto-declarative’ pointing.  Picture courtesy of momitforward.com

Older Children
Rain activity will give your child the opportunity to:

Increase their brain’s awareness of their body & refine their ‘proprioceptive’ sense
As your child takes their fingertip to their nose, especially if they do this with their eyes closed, they will be using one of their ‘body senses’ called ‘proprioception’. Through our proprioceptive sense we know where our connecting body parts are in relation to each other & the effort we’re using to move them. This in turn tells us where our body is in relation to other people & objects. So proprioception helps us to, amongst other things: move around safely without having to constantly look at our hands and feet, judge whether we can get safely through a narrow space & adjust our grip to pick up heavy or fragile objects without dropping or breaking them. 

Improve their co-ordination and concentration
When your child does rain activity, moving their right and left hands in quick succession, they will be building up their awareness of their right and left hand sides and practising moving them smoothly together. 

Our Tatty Bumpkin Classes

Because each Tatty Bumpkin adventure is carefully linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) the sessions not only enhance your child’s physical skills they also develop their communication, social and thinking skills.  Find your local class at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html.


Or, to find out how you could be trained to deliver Tatty Bumpkin classes in your area at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/business/index.html

Love Tatty Bumpkin x

2014 Violet Pathway - Tatty Bumpkin’s Kid’s Activity is 'Mountain’

By Sue Heron – Training Co-ordinator Tatty Bumpkin and Paediatric Physiotherapist

In this blog I outline how to do a Tatty Bumpkin Yoga activity with your child, so you can do the activity with them at home. At the end of the blog I outline some of the activity’s benefits for your child or toddler.

Please remember though, for you and your child to gain the full benefit of all the Tatty Bumpkin Yoga and multi-sensory activities, find out about your local Tatty Bumpkin class at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html.

Or why not ask your child’s nursery if they are using the ‘Tatty Bumpkin Kid’s Activity Programme’. Our qualified Tatty Bumpkin Teachers are fully trained in aspects of child development and Yoga and are kept fully up-to-date by our professional team of paediatric physiotherapists, Yoga teachers and musicians.

Or, maybe, you are thinking of a new career, which gives you:

• The opportunity to work with kids
• A great sense of job satisfaction and
• Flexible working to fit around your own family?

In which case - find out how you could be trained to deliver Baby and Tatty Bumpkin classes in your area at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/business/index.html.

Tatty Bumpkin’s ‘Mountain’ Yoga Activity

The Tatty Bumpkin Mountain Yoga activity is all about learning how to stand still – even for a few seconds! Keeping their balance whilst standing still is a hard for toddlers and young children as it requires:

• The organisation of several senses by the brain
• Learning the ‘patterns of movement’ needed for balance

Indeed, some children often find it harder to stand still than to move around.

In addition, Mountain Yoga activity gives your child the chance to experience being still, even if it is just  for  a few seconds! By giving them these chances to feel quieter and calmer fro short momentsduring their day you will be showing your child a way to soothe themselves which they migth be able to use when they are feeling upset.

Tatty Bumpkin Mountain Yoga Activtiy for Children and Toddlers - and You!

Standing as still as a mountain!

 

Mountains with snow on the top!

Description of Pose

There are a number of very good reasons to do Mountain pose with your child:

• Firstly, children under 3 years, largely learn new movements by copying others – especially their parents and ‘key people’.
• Secondly, current research shows that young children bond with their parents and ‘key people’ not only through touch and by communicating with them, but also by moving with them.
• Thirdly, as you do Mountain pose, you will give your own body a chance to stretch and realign! See ‘Why it is Good for Me’ section.

So begin by doing Mountain pose yourself - stand still with your feet about hip width apart and your arms by your side. As you stand think about: 

• Your breathing – think about taking deeper, slower breaths – this will help both you and your baby to relax.  

• Your posture - stand with your feet hip width apart, further apart if you feel unstable. Rock forwards and backwards on the soles of your feet to find the point where your weight is spread evenly over your feet. Then work your way up your body, trying to get into the best possible ‘alignment’, see ‘Why it is Good for Me’ section at the end of this document.  

1. Are you holding any tension in your lower back? If so, try to ‘tuck your bottom in’ slightly and gently tighten your stomach muscles. Keep breathing normally as you do this.  
2. Try not to ‘lock out’ your knees.  
3. As you take the deeper breaths think about your shoulders moving downwards and slightly back and the distance between your ears and your shoulders increasing. Try to ‘let go’ of any tension in your shoulders.

• Your head position. Are you ‘jutting’ your chin forwards and arching your neck backwards? Imagine a cord coming up from the top of your head which is gently pulling the crown of your head upwards. Make sure your chin is slightly tucked in (don’t overdo it) -feel the muscles at the back of your neck lengthening.

Now encourage your toddler or child to copy you!

• If your child is younger, turn the activity into a game by using a (white) handkerchiefs or pieces of fabric as these can be the snow on your mountains!

• Show your toddler or young child what to do by placing the hankie on your own head. Whilst they are watching you say something like “1, 2, 3 fall off!” as you let your hankie fall. Then put a hankie on their head and guide them to do the same!

Games To Play Around Mountain Pose

‘Snow on the Mountains’ -  Toddlers and Younger Children

You can play peek-a-boo games in sitting or standing with your hankies. These games will not only help your young child’s balance skills, they will also progress their fine motor skills and eye hand co-ordination.

Just look at all the different sitting positions and hand movements Zac does whilst being a 'snowy mountain' !

Snow on a 'Windy Mountain' -  Older Children

If you child is older, they can challenge their balance skills further by trying to stand still, with a hankie as ‘snow’ on their head, whilst  balancing on a cushion on the floor. As they are standing on an unstable surface you child will have to rely on their just their visual and vestibular senses rather than their proprioceptive sense (see ‘Why it is Good for Me’ section).

Getting your Mountain Tickets! - Older Children

Recent research on how children develop their gross motor skills (movement skills) shows that a child’s ability to do these skills is dependent on the situation and the task they have to do i.e. a child may be able to stand still in a quiet room on an even floor with no distractions, however, if they are asked to stand outside, on a uneven pavement with noisy traffic speeding by whilst counting out some money (for the bus) this is much harder!
You can help your child prepare for such situations by encouraging them to firstly stand  in Mountain pose and then see if they can keep still whilst counting out some money to pay for their ‘Mountain ticket!’  To make it even harder they can try standing on a cushion whilst they count their money!

Why the Tatty Bumpkin Mountain Yoga Activity is Good for Both You and Your Child

As you do Mountain activity with your young child or toddler:

1. You will have the opportunity to -

Improve your body’s ‘alignment’
Alignment in this sense refers to the position of your feet, knees, hips and shoulders. To bring your body into perfect alignment whilst doing mountain pose - imagine a line running down your side from the top of your head down to your feet. This ‘line’ should pass through the following parts of your body:

• Your ear lobe
• Your cervical (neck) vertebrae  
• The tip of your shoulder
• Should divide your ribcage in half
• Your lumbar vertebrae
• Slightly behind your hip joint
• Slightly in front of the centre of your knee joint
• Slightly in front of your outside ankle bone

A balanced posture!!

If your body is in 'alignment', the wear and tear on your major joints and the muscles surrounding them will be minimal. Pregnancy will have taken your body ‘out of alignment’ for a while so it is useful to spend time thinking about your body position. As you do Mountain activity you will probably find you have to gently tighten your tummy and bottom muscles, your lower shoulder muscles midway down your back, and the front of your thighs (your quadriceps).

2. You and your child will have the opportunity to -

Relax and calm!
As you take deeper breaths and bring your body into alignment your whole body should start to relax. Your heart and blood pressure will automatically decrease as you take slower breaths. Young children tend to be very sensitive to how their parents and carers are feeling, therefore as you relax there is a good possibility that they will relax as well. Helping your child to appreciate these quieter times can give them a ‘way of coping’ when they are feeling upset.

3. Your child will have the opportunity to -

Improve their organisation of the sensations needed for balance  
Doing the Tatty Bumpkin Mountain Yoga activity helps your child to refine their balance skills, as it gives their brain a chance organise three sensations needed to balance. Although we are not aware of this organisational process, as this happens automatically in our brains, it is crucial for good balance skills. The three sensations are:

• The gravity and movement (vestibular) sensations which our brain receives from specialist cells in our inner ear whenever we move our heads.

• The ‘proprioceptive’ sensations which our brain receives from specialist cells in our muscles and joints whenever we squeeze or straighten a joint, or contract and stretch a muscle.

• The visual sensations which our brain receives from our eyes as we look around. 

Improve their ‘patterns of movement’ needed for balance
Research on standing ability in children and adults has found that muscle strength is not the main factor in learning how to balance well. More important, is the ability to develop the best patterns of movement or ‘postural reactions’ needed.

But ... Not Just a Movement Class!

Because every Tatty Bumpkin adventure is carefully linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and uses bespoke music and rhythms the sessions not only enhance your child’s physical skills they also develop their communication, social and thinking skills.  Find your local class at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html.

Or, to find out how you could be trained to deliver Tatty Bumpkin classes in your area at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/business/index.html

 

Love Tatty Bumpkin! x

2014 Term 7/Summer Holidays - Baby Bumpkin's Yoga Activity for the Week is Worm!

By Sue Heron – Training Co-ordinator Tatty Bumpkin and Paediatric Physiotherapist

In this blog I describe our weekly Baby Bumpkin Yoga activity and outline some of the benefits so you can do the activity at home with your baby. 

Please remember though, for you and your baby to gain the full benefit of all the Baby Bumpkin Yoga and multi-sensory activities, find out about your local Baby Bumpkin class at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html.

Our qualified Baby Bumpkin Teachers are fully trained in aspects of baby development and Baby Yoga and are kept fully up-to-date by our professional team of paediatric physiotherapists, Yoga teachers and musicians.

Or, maybe, you are thinking of a new career, which gives you:

• The opportunity to work with kids
• A great sense of job satisfaction and
• Flexible working to fit around your own family?

In which case - find out how you could be trained to deliver Baby and Tatty Bumpkin classes in your area at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/business/index.html.

The Baby Bumpkin Multisensory Yoga Adventure This Week ..

This week the Baby Bumpkin Yoga Activity is ‘WORM’ as Baby Bumpkin is invited to ‘Worm Town’!
 
This fun activity brings tummy time into your baby’s day – giving them a chance to: increase their control over their body, strengthen their core muscles, stimulate their senses, progress their visual skills and so much more! 

This week's Baby Bumpkin adventure gives your baby the chance to progress their physical skills and confidence as they get used to lying on their tummy and provides them with a ‘sensory feast’ as they investigate a treasure basket of cooking props! Find your local class at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html.

Because each Baby Bumpkin adventure is carefully linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) the sessions not only enhance your baby’s physical skills they also develop your baby’s early communication, social and thinking skills.   

Worm Pose for Babies - Some Thoughts on Tummy time

• Your baby can start tummy time soon after they are born but, remember, never leave them alone on their tummy.

• Introduce your baby to tummy time ‘little and often’ during their day i.e. encourage your baby to lie on their tummy 2 – 3 times a day, for 2 -3  minutes at a time, or as long as they are happy. Then gradually work up to a total time of 40-60 mins daily.

• To start with your baby may not like tummy time; indeed some babies never really seem to enjoy it. Usually, the more times your baby plays on their tummy, the more they will enjoy it – a chicken and egg situation!

If your baby does not like tummy time - don't worry hear are a few tips!

• Check with your health visitor – your baby may be getting reflux.

• Start by laying your baby on their tummy on your chest, as you lie back on a sofa or in a chair. If your baby is really anxious you can ‘grade’ your position for them i.e. start in a more upright sitting position and then gradually lean back so that your baby has a chance to get used to lying in a more horizontal position. In this position your baby can look at you, be reassured, and strengthen their bond with you. Picture couretesy of www.pathways.org

 

• Another great tip is to roll up a small hand towel into a little ‘sausage shaped’ bolster and place this under your baby’s shoulders whilst they are on their tummy. This will help your baby to clear their head off the floor. Make sure both your baby’s arms are over the bolster so that it is lying below their arm pit area. Do not do this activity for too long and never leave your baby alone with the bolster. 

• If your baby is unsettled, or becomes unsettled, in tummy time, and distraction (gentle blows down their back or toys or your smiles – see below) doesn’t calm them, always roll them onto their back. It’s horrible to feel ‘trapped’ on your tummy! Your baby needs to gradually build up their strength so they feel confident in tummy time.

So, as your baby plays on their tummy, keep looking out for signs that they may be tiring i.e.  Intense dribbling, resting their face on the surface they are lying on or, indeed, crying. If you can stop tummy time before your baby becomes distressed then it will remain an enjoyable experience for them.

• Bring tummy time into your baby’s normal day i.e. give them little ‘tummy time moments’ by:

1. Putting them on their tummy as you dry them after a bath, or after changing their nappy. 
2. Lay your baby on their tummy across your lap to ‘burp’ them. 
3. It is never too early to begin to read to your baby. As your baby rests on their tummy on your chest – read them a story or talk to them about their Baby Bumpkin class!

• Distraction is key! While your baby is playing on their tummy, hold a toy in front of them to get their attention, or give them a baby mirror to look into. This will also encourage your baby to lift their head and reach.

• From about 3- 4 mths of age your baby will most likely ‘get the idea’ of propping themselves up on their forearms.. You can guide your baby into this position by gently bringing their elbows inwards and forwards so they are directly under their shoulders. Do not do this if your baby is very young as they will not have the movement in their shoulders to be comfortable.

• Remember the ‘Eye level smile’! Get down close to your baby as they lie on their tummy; smile, sing and make funny noises and faces at them! Your baby will be encouraged to lift their head, reach, and play when they see your face and hear your voice. Get the whole family involved!

• As your baby becomes more confident in tummy time – spread their favourite toys around them so they are encouraged to pivot on their tummy to reach and play with them. Most babies do this ‘tummy pivoting’ with swimming actions of their arms and legs at around 4-5 mths. It is really beneficial for them as it strengthens their neck, spine, hip and leg muscles in preparation for sitting and also gives them a great sensory experience as they push up against gravity!

Description of  Baby Bumpkin Worm Pose

Wriggle as a worm!

N.B. Remember, when you are doing the poses with your baby, never force the movements and keep looking at them  to make sure they are comfortable. If you feel any resistance, or your baby becomes unsettled, do stop. Once your baby has settled, gently try the pose again, perhaps making clicking sounds or using a toy to distract them. If your baby remains unsettled, do not persist with the pose, instead ask your Baby Bumpkin teacher for advice.

• Sometimes babies can be taken by surprise if they are ‘suddenly’ placed on their tummy causing them to become unsettled. Let your baby feel ‘more in control’ of their tummy time whilst they are doing Worm pose by encouraging them to roll as much as they can onto their tummy i.e.

• Settle your baby on their back in front you. Start by encouraging them to either look at you or their favourite toy.

• Then, either use your eyes or the toy to encourage your baby to look over in the direction you wish them to roll. As they shift their gaze over to that side, your baby should start turn their head in that direction.

• If your baby reaches out, with their arms, to touch the toy this will usually help them to roll. If your baby does not reach out, gently move their ‘under’ arm so it is more alongside their head – this means it will not get ‘trapped’ under their body as they roll over.

• If you are using a toy – hold it above your baby’s shoulder level and keep moving it in the direction of the roll.

• As your baby starts to turn their head, use your other hand to gently support them behind their head, shoulders and back to assist them to roll. Take your time and wait to see how much support your baby needs – you may be surprised! Obviously as your baby gets older they will need less and less support o roll.

• Remember, to encourage your baby to stay and play in Worm pose:

1. Keep distracting them with their toy. 
2. Do the ‘Eye level smile!’  
3. Maybe, give your baby a safe mirror to look into. 
4. Or use a little bolster to give them support. Picture courtesy of www.pathways.org 

                                   

Games to Play Around Worm Pose

The Eye level Smile - ‘Smiley Worms!’

• Your baby will love to do Worm pose with you and will be reassured by your smiles. Lie down opposite your baby so you can smile at them, and give them encouragement whilst looking directly at them.

• If your baby is older, and is starting to play confidently on their tummy, scatter a few cushions, of a suitable size, on the floor and encourage them to wriggle like a worm over them.

An eye level smile!

N.B. if your baby is younger, and is still finding tummy time ‘hard work’ do not use cushions as they will find it easier to push up from a firmer surface. NEVER leave your baby alone with the cushions on the floor, because if your baby tires they could find it hard to clear their head from the cushion to breathe.

Wriggling Worms 

• If your baby is about 3 mths, or older, or has good control of their head, they may enjoy lying on their tummy on your outstretched thighs with their arms over the side of your legs - as in Tatty Bumpkin Cat pose. In this position your baby can feel close to you and can start to ‘feel’ for the floor, and push against it, with their hands – great for the development of their hands.

• Once your baby is settled you can gently move your thighs up and down under your baby so they can experience the feeling of movement whilst being on their tummy – to be ‘wriggling worms!’

Wriggling worms!

Why Worm Pose is Good for Your Baby

As your baby does Worm pose with you, they will have the opportunity to:

1.Develop their ‘postural control’ and balance
‘Postural control’ is a complex mechanism that enables us to hold ourselves up against gravity and position ourselves to do all that we need to do. We develop this control of our body from our head downwards and from the middle of our body -  outwards.  Throughout our live we continue to develop our postural control but the major changes occur in the first seven years of our life.
As babies we learn to lift our head and body off the floor, roll, sit, stand and walk. As young children we continue to refine these balance skills. Worm pose (tummy time) is a great position for your baby to develop and progress their postural control. Tummy time gives your baby an ideal opportunity to refine their ‘postural control’ skills so they can learn to:
Move their head whilst keeping their body still. Encourage your baby to look to either side whilst they are in Worm pose. Eventually this skill will be refined by your child so they can learn to look quickly up at a white board and then down at their work!
Hold their head steady whilst their body is moving. Encourage your baby wriggle side to side or forwards a little way whilst they are in Worm pose.  This skill is needed for crawling, bottom shuffling or walking.

2.Strengthen their core muscles for rolling, sitting and eventually standing
As your baby plays in Worm pose they will be strengthening their shoulder, back, tummy and hip muscles. This core muscle strength gives your baby a firm foundation on which they can develop more complex physical skills such as rolling, sitting upright and crawling.

3.Stimulate their 'body' senses
Tummy time gives your baby the chance to stimulate their ‘vestibular’ and the ‘proprioceptive’ (body) senses. Aged about 4 – 5 mths you may see your baby excitedly doing swimming actions with their arms and legs whilst lying on their tummy.
This is due to the stimulation of these body senses as your baby ‘pushes their body up against gravity’. This enjoyment will increase your baby’s inner drive to become upright!

4.Stretch out their back and hip muscles
If your baby has been sitting in their buggy, chair or travel seat Worm pose will allow them to stretch out their back and hip muscles. Take it slowly though, you do not want to take them by surprise!

5.Take the weight off the back of their head
When your baby lies on their tummy in Worm pose their head will be ‘free’ e.g. it will not be lying against anything. As babies’ skulls are comparatively soft in the first few months they may become flattened in some spots if they have been lying the same position for too long (positional plagiocephaly). Hence it is good for your baby to have some time with their head not resting against anything. 

6.Develop their visual skills
Being on their tummy provides your baby with a different view of the world. Whilst on their tummies, playing with toys, your baby will be developing and refining their head and eye movements.

7.Develop their hand muscles and grip
Whilst in Worm pose your baby will be putting weight through their hands and gently stretching the muscles in their palms. These actions will help your baby to develop early grasping skills.

N.B. Babies with reflux
Always ask your health visitor for advice if your baby suffers from reflux and consequently finds tummy time painful.
Sometimes it is helpful to lay your baby on a small pillow when they are trying tummy time so their upper body is semi- reclined i.e. their shoulders are higher than their hips. Never do tummy time straight after a feed.


Love Baby Bumpkin x

Term 7/Summer Holidays Week 2: Tatty Bumpkin’s Kid’s Activity for this Week is Worm Pose

By Sue Heron – Training Co-ordinator Tatty Bumpkin and Paediatric Physiotherapist

In this weekly blog I focus on a Tatty Bumpkin ‘Yoga Activity’, giving you all a description on how to do the it with your child and describing some of the benefits. 

To find out about the Baby Bumpkin’s Baby activity – look out for my ‘Mid-week Baby Bumpkin Blog!’

Please remember though, for your child to gain the full benefit of all the Tatty Bumpkin Yoga and multisensory activities:

• Find out about your local Tatty Bumpkin class at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html, 

• Or ask your child’s nursery if they are using the ‘Tatty Bumpkin Kid’s Activity Programme’.

Our qualified Tatty Bumpkin Teachers are fully trained in child development and children’s Yoga and are kept fully up-to-date by our professional team of paediatric physiotherapists, Yoga teachers and musicians.

Maybe, you are thinking of a new career, which gives you:

• The opportunity to work with kids 
• A great sense of job satisfaction and 
• Flexible working to fit around your own family? 

In which case - find out how you could be trained to deliver Baby and Tatty Bumpkin classes in your area at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/business/index.html.

The Tatty Bumpkin Multisensory Yoga Adventure This Week …

This week Tatty Bumpkin heads underground to explore 'Worm Town', so her Yoga Activity is ‘WORM’…..

At first Tatty Bumpkin is a bit worried about following her friend Worm down the dark worm tunnels…

Worm, however, looks after Tatty Bumpkin and encourages her wriggle on her tummy just like him - soon Tatty Bumpkin is wriggling into Worm Town!

Wriggling into Worm Town!

Worm Town is a really busy place! The worms are rolling out roads, building bridges, even building little worm houses…. At the end of a busy day everyone settles down for a ‘Worm Town picnic’.

Do you think you can make a bridge for the worms? What kind of house would you build!? What would you put in your sandwich? Come and join your local Tatty Bumpkin class or holiday club at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html

 

Sandwiches made by the children at 'Country Cottage Nursery' Plaxtol Kent

Because each Tatty Bumpkin kid’s activity session is carefully linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) the sessions not only enhance your child’s physical skills they also develop your child’s communication, social and thinking skills.   

In this week’s activity session your child will have the chance to:

1. Activate their core muscles and increase their awareness of their left and right hand sides as they wriggle with Tatty Bumpkin in Worm pose and roll the roads of Worm Town! Both these skills support your child’s sitting and writing – but in a fun way!

2. Refine their fine motor skills (hand skills), for easier writing, as they make delicious ‘sandwiches’ for the Worm Town picnic.

3. Use gestures or words to express their thoughts, for example:

Feeling ‘worried’ with Tatty Bumpkin as she starts to go down a worm tunnel!

Being ‘caring’ like Worm as he encourages Tatty Bumpkin to wriggle.

Feeling ‘excited’ with Tatty Bumpkin as she cycles down the roads of ‘Worm Town’!.  

4. Come up with their own ideas, and feel confident to talk about them. For example:

Deciding which shape house to build in Worm Town?

Wondering what to put in their sandwich?

5. Develop their sense of rhythm as they move to the Tatty Bumpkin Spider song or Tatty Bumpkin instrumental tracks.

6. Most important of all - have fun with their friends as they: wriggle down the worm tunnels, build worm bridges and, of course, make sandwiches.

Make a 'Worm Bridge' with your friends!

 Worm Pose for Your Toddler or Child

 

 

Wriggle with your child as worms!

Encourage your child to use both their arms and their legs!

  

There are a number of very good reasons to do Worm pose with your toddler or child:

• Firstly, children under 3 years, largely learn new movements by copying others – especially their parents and ‘key people’.

• Secondly, current research shows that young children bond with their parents and ‘key people’ not only through touch and by communicating with them, but also by moving with them.

• Thirdly, as you do Worm pose with your toddler, you will give your own body a chance to move, stretch and realign!

However, if you know you have issues with your back, do stop if your feel any pain or soreness and use your child’s favourite toy to show them Worm pose.  

Description of Pose

• Lie on your stomach, with your legs bent slightly out to the side and your arms out in front. Encourage your toddler or child to copy you.

• Bring your elbows under your chest so you are supporting yourself on your forearms. Encourage your child to copy you!

• Now wriggle forwards with your toddler or child - like worms. Try to use both your legs and your arms to help you wriggle.

• If your child is older, encourage them to ‘commando crawl’ - i.e. To alternate between using their ‘right elbow and left leg’ and their ‘left elbow and right leg’ to wriggle forwards. Commando crawling is great for your child’s co-ordination skills.

• If your child is younger they may need a bit of encouragement to wriggle on their tummy. If this is the case drape some material over a couple of chairs or secure structures outside and encourage your toddler to wriggle underneath!

Games to Play Around Worm Pose

Worm Obstacle Course!

• Scatter a few cushions, of a suitable size, on the floor and encourage your toddler or child to wriggle, like a worm, over and across them.

• The uneven surfaces will give your toddler or child a challenge! As they wriggle on and off the cushions they will be strengthening their shoulder, back, tummy and hip muscles.

• In addition, as they move over the different textures, your toddler or child will be getting valuable sensory feedback through their hands and feet and will be developing their sense of touch.

Wriggling over cushions

Why Worm Pose is Good For Your Toddler or Child

Worm pose will give your toddler or child the opportunity to:

1. Strengthen their ‘core muscles’. As your child wriggles in worm pose they will be strengthening their back, tummy, shoulder and hip muscles. Strength in these major muscle groups will help your child develop a good ‘posture’ and refine their balance skills.

2. Increase their brain’s awareness of their right and left sides. This is essential for skills such as writing and dressing which require the smooth co-ordination of the right and left sides and the arms with the legs.

3. Motor planning skills. In worm pose your child’s brain will be processing information from several senses (touch, sight & their body senses) to produce a fairly complex movement. This sensory processing ability is crucial for motor planning i.e. the ability to learn new movements or do several moves in sequence e.g. skipping, dressing or writing.

So remember:

For a fun, kid’s activities which not only encourage your child to move but also enhance their development - find your local class at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/classes/find-class.html

Or, to find out how you could be trained to deliver Tatty Bumpkin classes in your area at http://www.tattybumpkin.com/business/index.html.

  

Love Tatty Bumpkin x