It is well known that tummy time is essential to muscular development, but many parents are unaware of its profound neurological benefits. Very few babies receive enough tummy time, likely because so few initially enjoy it. With the simple training I provide, tummy time will become an enjoyable activity that leads to a healthy nervous system for your little one. Proper tummy time also provides the foundation for all future movement: rolling, sitting, standing, walking, fine motor skills and more.
As a former teacher, I have seen too many children with developmental delays and learning differences (ADD, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, sensory integration problems, speech delays, and more). This was not the case when I was in school. For most people born prior to 1992, tummy time was a natural part of life. Now that we sleep our infants on their backs, we need to put effort into tummy time while awake for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
As parents, we do everything possible to ensure our kids are prepared for life's myriad challenges. Many infant and child development resources rightly focus on nutrition and sleep - tummy time is just as important.
"Teachers are seeing incoming kindergarten and first grade students who seem to have such difficulty with sitting either in a chair or on the floor for circle time. These young students may slump, prop their head with their hand, or have a very rounded back when sitting on the floor. Sometimes these same kids have difficulty learning, they may have an immature grasp on the pencil, may have difficulty using their finger to point and track words when reading. It seems like school is hard work. I may get invited in to work with these students. I am an Occupational Therapist in the schools. I know these children are lacking postural strength needed for sitting, are using a fisted grasp because they haven’t developed their muscles in their hands, and may lack visual skills to coordinate and guide their eyes and fingers together. When asked why this is becoming more prevalent, I tell teachers and families “our children are just not moving enough”. And it starts with the babies not having enough tummy time. Please tell all parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers “Tummy time is so important! And it’s never too late for Tummy time.” Our children need to work against gravity, they need to use their large joints, and they need to move to fully develop a functional visual system." - Mary Neifert OTR/L
As a former teacher, I have seen too many children with developmental delays and learning differences (ADD, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, sensory integration problems, speech delays, and more). This was not the case when I was in school. For most people born prior to 1992, tummy time was a natural part of life. Now that we sleep our infants on their backs, we need to put effort into tummy time while awake for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
As parents, we do everything possible to ensure our kids are prepared for life's myriad challenges. Many infant and child development resources rightly focus on nutrition and sleep - tummy time is just as important.
"Teachers are seeing incoming kindergarten and first grade students who seem to have such difficulty with sitting either in a chair or on the floor for circle time. These young students may slump, prop their head with their hand, or have a very rounded back when sitting on the floor. Sometimes these same kids have difficulty learning, they may have an immature grasp on the pencil, may have difficulty using their finger to point and track words when reading. It seems like school is hard work. I may get invited in to work with these students. I am an Occupational Therapist in the schools. I know these children are lacking postural strength needed for sitting, are using a fisted grasp because they haven’t developed their muscles in their hands, and may lack visual skills to coordinate and guide their eyes and fingers together. When asked why this is becoming more prevalent, I tell teachers and families “our children are just not moving enough”. And it starts with the babies not having enough tummy time. Please tell all parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers “Tummy time is so important! And it’s never too late for Tummy time.” Our children need to work against gravity, they need to use their large joints, and they need to move to fully develop a functional visual system." - Mary Neifert OTR/L
