In my practice as a physiotherapist specialised in paediatrics, I work with children from birth to walking.
I recommend that parents and early childhood caregivers put babies on the floor as much as possible to stimulate free motor skills.
• The concept of free or spontaneous motor skills dates from the 1960s. Emmi Pickler (a paediatrician) was convinced that the small child is able to develop on its own, without adult intervention: the child evolves freely under the adult's supervision. Motor development occurs naturally and in a specific order.
• Safety and hygiene are key criteria for Tamoli.
• For extraordinary childrenTamoli allows the development on the floor for freedom of movement and also to practice the exercises learned at their physiotherapist's.
The time on the floor is a relief for the joints that are badly used when sitting in a wheelchair. Free movement makes sense for these children because it is never too late to work on and acquire motor skills, even with a disability.
What a joy for parents to settle down with their child on the floor to play and exercise the movements.
Beware of the use of certain accessories
The numerous childcare accessories are often a barrier to free motor skills. And yes, rest assured, to let your child experiment it is not necessary to buy specific equipment, on the contrary! The bouncy chair, the baby rest, the walker, the playpen are accessories that allow the child to settle in a posture that he is not able to take on his own or that limit his movements. They are therefore not recommended. However, let's be rational, their use with parsimony remains possible.
The Walker
Banned in some countries, it is important to realise the uselessness of this accessory which is still too often present in homes, according to the false idea that the walker is good for the child. AND NOT !!!!! A child in a walker is necessarily a child who cannot move by himself. This means either that he is too young to walk or that he cannot walk by himself.
If they are not old enough to walk: please give them time to develop their walking skills. Before walking, there is the crawling, a very important moment of discovery of its environment which, in addition, constitutes the basis for learning to walk alone and in complete safety.
If they are old enough to walk, but don't:
1. Give them time and make sure they are comfortable on all fours. It will work when all the conditions are right.
2. If you have any doubts about their development, see your doctor.
But don't put them in the trotter, it distorts the learning of the apprehension of his environment and the use of his body. Standing up would then be a challenge.
