Advice on Wanja’s video on lifting objects
- lower the seat so that she can squat lower and work more on standing
- give her heavier objects
- put a weighted vest on her (for posture) or have her hold weights, maybe even do so in space, away from the activity.
- to stretch right arm, work on getting it straight.
General comments:
- know what you want to achieve
- watch Aidan’s video: https://youtu.be/ACueMhFVGHU
- we will talk about the learning zone; find the places where she can learn
- starting point: do it in such a way that the connection in there (something that the child can learn and enjoy – child is responsive, action is meaningful), emphasis on connection
- 4 areas we will do for each child (developmental pattern):
0- Ploughing the Field – child’s body has to be ready, it’s the foundation
1- Flow Patterning – making sure the child is initiating movement – child learns to do the movement but not fully
3- Equilibrium positions – focusing on things like laying down, sitting, 4 point, kneeling, standing – child working on posture and focus, so that the movement can begin to happen.
4- first locomotion/action – looking for the first motion, what people see.
Advice on Wanja’s video on opening fingers and hands:
- where is she at – perhaps at flow patterning
- idea is to explore the other areas too and relate them all, the area before where she is, and the one after too.
- plough the field more
- also work on equilibrium, e.g. keep hand open for a count of five, or just help her open her wrist and keep it like that (equilibrium)
Remember:
- pay attention to how you are doing things – listen to what you are feeling.
- as you are ploughing the field, make sure the head is free. Lift and turn it from side to side and see if it turns ok.
Extras:
- exercise for separate torso (may require two people, one holding the shoulders); can even get her to initiate return of knees. Can start with a few oscillations of knees when lifted.
- can also loosen torso area by lifting knees and tucking in my knees under her bum and rocking her, even with my knees. Get her to find the motion.
- Balance Wanja on the ball – hold her thighs from in front as she sits, and release her hands.
Lesson plans for week 1:
- Write down my survey – have to know what I am dealing with, where the child is having difficulties; have a feeling for Wanja’s body. Define where the difficulties are (then we try and suggest the solutions).
- Spend some time on massage or releasing on some part of their body. Very important for them to get awareness of their body. Know what’s tight today, get a sense of their bodies – even then, look for progress. Maybe put resistance to see if there is improvement. Or see if the muscles are now feeling like dough – relaxed – a little better than when you started.
- Start to find little things to address, e.g. for Wanja, her hand and arm. Perhaps do it only twice a day, even at different times.
- Record it, picture, to know that your child has achieved that progress/milestone.
What I might work on for Wanja:
- Massaging the hand and arm
- oscillating her hand and arm, and stretching the arm
- Stretch her inner right thigh
- check if she can initiate movement when her legs are bent (for the sake of her hip)
- balance on ball, laying on back, and also sitting.
- positioning of feet…problem?