Move Your Body

Released on: July 8, 2008, 5:20 am

Press Release Author: By Barbara Greenspan, MS, OTR Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Industry: Small Business

Press Release Summary: "Proprioception" and it is an important feedback system that
directs our muscles and tells us how where we are and how much force or pressure to
place on an object.

Press Release Body: Children love to move their bodies! From the time they are born
they are moving and learning how to direct their muscles to do purposeful movements.
Newborns have many reflexes and this is where movement begins. Often babies are
swaddled tightly and many (not all!) love this! This "tight input" gives their
bodies feedback and they begin to feel their own bodies.
As babies grow, they become more active and begin to explore their worlds using
their muscles. Sensory input from the muscles, joints and ligaments is crucial for
telling us where our bodies are in space. This is known as "Proprioception" and it
is an important feedback system that directs our muscles and tells us how where we
are and how much force or pressure to place on an object. This system is used when
grading how hard to throw a ball or how much pressure to put on a pencil while
writing.
When many of us were growing up, we played outside and climbed trees and fences. It
was through all the climbing, swinging and running that we all learned about how to
move our bodies. That level of play exploration set our bodies up for later learning
in school. Because of all the early muscle movement, we were prepared to sit at our
desks at school and learn.
Today we (and especially our children) are becoming much more dependent on
technology. Our children are feeling this (literally) and are so much more engaged
in the 2-dimensional world of television and video games. As parents, we need to be
much more conscious and committed to making sure that our children get the physical
input they need to their bodies. "Heavy work" activities are tasks that give
feedback to the muscles, joints and ligaments. These types of activities require
pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying and anything other physical task that requires
us to move our muscles.
eBeanstalk is committed to selecting toys that help children learn on so many
levels. Both Deanie Barth (our Physical Therapist) and I have specifically selected
toys that require a child's muscles do this "heavy work." These toys are great at
giving them feedback to their bodies so that they will be successful in their lives
as athletes, artists and students.
Here are eBeanstalk's top 10 toys that give the muscles feedback by requiring them
to do this "heavy work":

Rody the Horse
Mega Maze
Bounce Around
Hop 45

Monster Clompers
Pink Princess
Twist Trike
Plasma Car

Hop Scotch
Play Foam

Spring is finally here! This is a great time to climb trees, ride bikes, run up and
roll down hills and use those muscles!!!

Web Site: http://www.ebeanstalk.com

Contact Details: Address:
eBeanstalk
50 Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854

Phone: 203-854-9600

fax number: 203 854 5590

Email: customerservice@ebeanstalk.com

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