POWER OF PLAY

Play boosts a huge range of social and emotional abilities, including language, social skills, empathy, imagination, curiosity and problem-solving.

Not only that, play is key to the ‘vestibular’ system, which builds balance and coordination, as well as spatial awareness, eye movements, muscle tone, timing and nervous system regulation, which affects kids’ ability to manage their emotions and pay attention, says Chloe O’Connor, a paediatric occupational therapist at Amazing Kids OT in Geelong. Cells in the inner ear activate the vestibular system, and kids need to move their heads for it to develop.

“Children who are ‘always on the go’ need more movement opportunities throughout their day,” says Chloe. “I always start with a movement-based activity. If a child wants to roll down the ramp six times or have a swing before we start, I encourage this. I know that this may help the child to participate in our structured activity of cutting, because he is regulating his nervous system. When children leave the clinic, they tell me their ‘bodies are feeling good’ and walk out calm and happy.”

Early Academics – Too Much, Too Soon?

Educators distinguish between free play (child-directed) and ‘playful learning’ (guided by teachers). “Both types are very, very valuable,” says Sharon Kneen, owner of three ‘Excellent’-rated Eskay Kids childcare centres in Brisbane and Ipswich, and a prominent advocate for play-based learning. Children at her centres play all day, and mostly choose when to play inside or outside.

“I will keep fighting against the academic push-down,” says Sharon. “Early academics is really detrimental. When the Queensland Government introduced the Prep year, our four and five-year-old preschoolers, who used to have a life full of play, started getting home-readers and sight words. The kids think they can’t do it, when they’re just not developmentally ready.”

EARLY PLAY IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR BUILDING THE COGNITIVE SKILLS NEEDED TO LEARN TO READ THAN READING ITSELF.

According to the Crisis in the Kindergarten report by the Alliance for Childhood. A group of US researchers has called for children to arrive “at the starting line of first grade ready and able to learn”, not able to read.

HOW TO READ TO KIDS

• Take books everywhere and make the most of every minute – in cafes, on public transport, in the car, your office and on visits to the doctor or dentist.
• Read everyday items aloud: labels, cereal boxes, road signs, maps, catalogues, brochures, and so forth.
• Visit the library and ask the librarian to help you find appropriate books for your kids. Show kids how to find books on the topics that interest them.
• Build a home library: charity shops, flea markets and garage sales are all great sources of low-cost books.
• Give books or book vouchers as gifts.

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Reading to young children

• Set aside the same time every day to help establish a routine (bedtime, bath time, after school, on the potty or in the sandbox).
• Choose hard-wearing books and let kids touch, chew and play.
• Some kids don’t like to sit still: try letting them draw or play quietly beside you while you read, or get them to help you hold the book and turn the pages.
• Read slowly with lots of expression. Put on silly voices: the more fun your child has, the more they will learn to love books and reading.
• Point to pictures and words and tell them what they are. Follow the text with your finger as you read, discuss the story and ask what comes next (listen to their response): this helps build comprehension skills. Reading To Emergent Readers
• Take turns reading paragraphs or even whole pages.
• Help your child with words they are having trouble with: read it for them so they can keep going or ask them what word would make sense, depending on your child’s level.
• Be encouraging.
• Talk about the book as you read it – ask questions that allow your child to express opinions and listen attentively to their answers.

Reading to older readers

• Read short sections of books or articles aloud to catch your child’s attention – encourage them to read the rest on their own.
• Call their attention to the cover of a book or magazine – ask what they think it’s about it, encourage them to read it and then discuss it with them (read it yourself, too).
• Put a funny article in their lunchbox.
• Encourage your child to read to younger siblings, cousins or family friends.
• Try not to judge: let your child’s interests guide their choice of books. If your child likes poo jokes, put a joke book in the bathroom. If they like electronics and car engines, give them a how-things-work book for their birthday.

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PARENTING

This paediatrician believes that parents thinking of taking their child to a chiropractor might want to reconsider.

As a general paediatrician, I see children of all ages, including many newborns. It’s not unusual for parents to seek the advice of non-conventional health practitioners before seeing me. In my experience, chiropractors are the most commonly consulted.

The essence of the chiropractic approach is that spinal malalignments, or subluxations, can be responsible for a broad range of symptoms in adults and children.

Any medical intervention, mainstream or otherwise, should be evaluated with two simple questions:

1.    Is it safe?
2.    Is it effective?

These are simple questions, but the answers need to be supported by evidence. The practice of mainstream medicine, of which I am an advocate, is based on rigorous research and testing, with equally rigorous analysis of that research. This is by no means a faultless process, but in most cases delivers safe and effective management.

WHEN IT COMES TO CHIROPRACTIC-MANAGEMENT APPROACHES, EVIDENCE SIMPLY DOESN’T EXIST IN THE SAME FORM.

So when a parent brings their newborn to see me and asks what I think about the baby seeing a chiropractor, I have no choice but to tell them there is no evidence the treatment will be safe or have any impact on their symptoms.

So why do parents consider chiropractors? I think part of the temptation is that alternative therapies, natural products and unconventional medicine seem to have a magical aura about them, compared with conventional medicine.

HOWEVER AS A CONVENTIONAL DOCTOR, I’LL ALWAYS STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE NEGATIVITY TOWARDS MAINSTREAM MEDICINE.

Parents are drawn by the idea that a chiropractor can fix a range of problems their baby might be experiencing. Does baby have colic? Off to the chiropractor. Does baby have reflux? Constipation? Must be due to spinal-alignment problems from the trauma of childbirth.

THE NOTION THAT A SINGLE FORM OF TREATMENT CAN EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATE A RANGE OF SYMPTOMS HAS NO PHYSIOLOGICAL OR PATHOLOGICAL BASIS.

This applies to many other treatments, including naturopathy, osteopathy, homeopathy and aromatherapy – not just chiropractic care.

For parents considering taking their child to a chiropractor for spinal adjustment following birth, there is no research to suggest babies need to be massaged or manipulated back into a ‘normal position’. If they are a little squashed or asymmetrical after delivery, any issues will fix themselves with time. If the practice of mainstream medicine is to follow the idea, “At first do no harm,” then I’m not convinced babies won’t be harmed by undergoing spinal adjustments.

So for me, chiropractic care doesn’t pass the ‘safe and effective’ test, and I wouldn’t refer a newborn or an older child to a chiropractor for any reason.

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Note: This article provides general health information and in no way constitutes medical advice. Ideas and information expressed may not be suitable for everyone. Readers wishing to obtain medical advice should contact their own doctor.

ADVENTURE JOURNAL

And when we understand that play is a child’s way of thinking, talking and connecting, its potential as a parent’s tool for managing behaviour and helping their child grow comes into focus.

Larry uses play as a tactic for managing everything from aggression, dependence, lack of communication, separation anxiety, sibling rivalry and discipline to routine events like getting ready for bed and playground injuries.

Among the issues he heads off with play are:

Dependence:
One tactic he recommends is to let the kids make up the rules of the game and win. Some parents worry this will leave a child unprepared for the real world’s rules and competition, but Larry advises a taste of power through winning ‘fills their cup’ and levels out their upset at the real world’s limits and frustrations.

Separation:
They’re clinging to you? Cling to them instead. This role reversal gives them connection and renders them powerful, and then they’re willing to let go.

Co-operation:
Let the kids make up silly rules which you follow, and even break, in order to be ‘punished’. Kids love this, and when it’s time for them to follow your rules, they’re more likely to do so, Larry advises.