What is the Core?
The core is the deep postural muscles surrounding the trunk that enable us to maintain balance when moving throughout the environment. It helps keep us centered and focused. Proprioception (awareness of posture, movement and body position) impacts the deep musculature close to the bone to effect vertical orientation which is necessary for antigravity control. It provides midline awareness which is necessary for bilateral control. In general, when the core stability is there the muscles used to generate movement can move easier without conscious effort. It provides the foundation and stability for skill development and allows for more refined control of smaller muscles (i.e. in hands).
The core also helps to regulate breathing Self-regulation, self-confidence, self-esteem and self-determination all emerge from the core
The Importance of Breath:
The Importance of Breath:
When you breathe deeper into your trunk, you receive more oxygen.
The core muscles require more oxygen than superficial muscles Primary muscles for breathing are diaphragm, intercostals, and abdomen – with the transverse abdominis being critical for the exhale.
Before you can get appropriate and full diaphragmatic movement, you need spinal alignment and rotation.
Children often develop compensatory postural fixing patterns, which therefore don¹t allow for full diaphragmatic breathing.
To take a full breath, focus on the exhale first (i.e. don¹t take a big inhale because you may be encouraging fixing patterns). After you exhale fully, that is when you get a true inhale.
Things to consider when thinking about your child¹s breath:
- focus on the exhale
- coordinate trunk movement with respiratory patterns
- incorporate sounds to activate diaphragm (quick “haa” sounds and drawn out “ss” sounds are most effective)
- handling: direct the breath with your touch on the body
Core Activities:
Vestibular activation: “Rock & Roll” – have child lie on back and curl legs up, placing hands under the knees; use momentum to roll back and forth (don¹t let them push themselves up with elbows on the floor).
Breath activation: “Standing Power Haa’s” – have child stand with legs spread apart; inhale with arms out and on the exhale, bend forward, placing arms between legs (as if reaching something on the floor behind them) while making the “haa” sound.
Core Activation: “Whoa Horsey” – child crawls forward on hands and knees while you come from behind and slow them down by giving resistance (pulling toward your body) with your hands in front of his/her hips, requiring them to really work to move forward.
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