Give the Gift of Play and Experience - Encourage Bilateral Body MOVE-MEnt this Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
In what some would call the longest year ever, Christmas is finally right around the corner. The Christmas trees are up and decorated, Christmas carols can be heard everywhere you go, and the shops are filled with everyone trying to find that ‘perfect’ present. Present shopping can be stressful enough as it is, let alone stopping to consider if said present helped support and enrich the development of your child’s brain.
Research shows us that “play supports early brain development in impressive ways”, especially in the first 5 years of life, helping to provide the necessary foundations for all future learning. A little saying, we have here in the practice is that
“Knowledge is Power,
and that knowledge about
ourselves is self-empowerment”.
We firmly believe this is important for both parents and children. When our children understand what is happening in their brains, it can provide the initial steps in empowering them with choices, and as parents or caregivers, knowing how the brain works, allows us to better understand how to not only respond to our child’s needs but also provide opportunities for growth and development through our experiences and interactions. Understanding this we can help us better appreciate why play is so important in child learning and development.
A little fun fact for you all, did you know that the brain is not one organ, but two separate organs that are connected together by an intricate “super highway” that allows both sides to talk to one another! Did you also know that the ‘right brain’ develops before our left brain?
If we relate the two sides of the brain with the Christmas period, it is our Left brain that is making the lists and checking them twice and it is organising everything, whilst it is our Right Brain that is excited with all the wrappings, singing of carols and spreading of Christmas cheer through interactions and body language.
What you also may not know, is that when we move the right side of our bodies, it is our left brain that controls and coordinates that movement and vice versa when we move our left side (right brain)! How cool is that?
As our children grow, when both sides of the brain are talking to each other in a balanced fashion they become better at controlling and coordinating their bodies, their emotions and behaviours. Around the age of 3 years, a hand, eye and foot dominance is developed, however the brain LOVES to be challenged and this is where play, specifically games and activities that encourage the use of both sides of their bodies is incredibly important.
We are fortunate enough to have some beautiful beaches, national parks and playgrounds that provide children big and small the opportunity to get out and explore the natural wonders as well as use our bodies and have fun along the way. So how can we encourage our children to play that will help promote strong brain development and use of both sides of their bodies this Christmas period?
The following activities not only are fun but require the use of both sides of the brain/body or can be adapted to do so!
Activities such as:
· Monkey Bars
· Swimming - encourage kids to breathe to both sides
· Climbing and Crawling activities
· Riding Bikes and Scooters - with scooters encourage the use of both legs and for the younger children balance bikes are fantastic for promoting proprioception and as the name states balance as well as postural tone
· Ball games – using both hands/feet
As you navigate the craziness of the Christmas season keep in mind that we know the research tells us that development is more about play and experiences with loved ones and less about the toys. Play with those important to us helps children to know they are cared for and valued as well as providing a safe place to explore, imagine and create! So, take the opportunity to get creative, have fun and challenge the kids (and yourself) this silly season.
From the family at Your Body Works, have yourselves a very Merry Christmas.
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