Tip 64 – Stand up straight; sit up straight… and much more!

Midline awareness and then crossing it are lifetime learning tools (brain development), and the process begins in the early years. Here is some valuable information about what happens.

1. One of the first milestones of development is lifting the head. That is something that takes place in a straight-up motion. After that all the other milestones occur in a symmetrical position–sitting up, crawling, standing, and more.
2. Next come the movements that are done to meet at the midline like clapping.
3. After that it is important to keep in mind that as you direct your child in the most basic movements and exercises, the body should be midline-centered with the head facing forward.

Parenting Insight!

As you nurse or bottle feed your baby, when you watch your toddler on the move, as you observe your little one sitting, kneeling, and playing; be on the lookout for posture. Do whatever you can in a supportive, subtle, and helpful way to help your child align his or her body in a symmetrical way. You will all be better off for it.

Emergent Literacy! 

For years professionals have talked about posture and its physical importance. Now you know it is also basic for learning. While you sensed before intuitively that slouching was not optimal, now you know it is even more important than that. To fine out more about “emergent literacy,” go to www.emergent-literacy.com.

Adapted from the introduction to “Games for Midline Development” in Make Your Own Preschool Games: A Personalized Play and Learn Program by Sally Goldberg, pp. 85 – 86. The next set of tips will focus on some of the actual games that are especially beneficial to midline development.