zenmomma *

>>But one thing it talked about was that kids are so RESTRICTED - just in
>>physical movement - that he considers that many learning disabilities,
>>including dyslexia, may be directly a result of
children NOT having enough large motor movement when they are from 1 to 3
years old.>>

I definitely think this is a major factor in all the senory integration
issues that kids have nowadays. I once had an Occupational Therapist tell me
that a kid who is running, jumping, swinging, hanging etc. is much less
likely to have problems with SID.

>>He says, for example, that in 1960 2 yo's spent about 200 hours in
a car (not in a car seat, either). In a recent year - (1999?) they spent 500
hours strapped in carseats. He says parents don't "make up for" the loss of
movement-time --- even though there is lots of evidence that points up the
importance of physical movement on brain development in those first few
years of life.>>

And it seems the pendulum has swung so far in the cerebral direction as far
as the first three years goes. Parents are out there with stimulating
mobiles and video tapes. Sounds like he's saying a good trip to the park is
the important educational activity.

>>He talks about how brain development is dependent on appropriate amounts
>>of challenge and how difficult that is to create in a classroom -- I just
>>wanted to YELL right there in the bookstore -- THE KID WILL KNOW how much
>>challenge is optimal - let them work it out themselves!!!! Give them
>>freedom and they'll challenge themselves JUST RIGHT!!!>>

You go girl! ;-)

Life is good.
~Mary


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