The developing child is a complex mix of emotional, physical, neurological and cognitive connections which come together to form unique personalities and learning styles.
As Occupational Therapists we see each of these separate areas of emotion, physical, neurological and cognitive development as vitally connected and interrelated. Of particular interest is the very strong relationship between movement and neurological development.
As we move we do of course strengthen our muscles and develop our physical skills. Movement also creates opportunities for the brain to strengthen connections in areas that link to spatial awareness (needed for mathematics), language (needed for English and social skills), alertness and the ability to notice and take in information (needed for learning), and problem solving (needed to navigate through life without undue anxiety or frustration).
As we move, our muscles receive information from our brain and then with every planned movement, our brain receives feedback on the success or lack thereof of that movement.
The more children move, and the greater the variety in their movement, the more opportunities they have to understand both their bodies and the world that they live in.
Movement is vital to neurological development and as an Occupational Therapist I see it as the first step in getting ready to learn each day.
Mtoto anayeendelea ni mchanganyiko tata wa uhusiano wa kihisia, kimwili, neva na utambuzi ambao huja pamoja kuunda utu wa kipekee na mitindo ya kujifunza. Kama wataalamu wa kazi, tunaona kila moja ya maeneo haya tofauti ya hisia, kimwili, neurological na utambuzi maendeleo kama muhimu kushikamana na kuunganishwa. Jambo la kupendeza hasa ni uhusiano wenye nguvu sana kati ya mwendo na ukuzi wa neva. Kwa kweli, tunapofanya hivyo, tunaimarisha misuli yetu na kukuza uwezo wetu wa kimwili. Mzunguko pia huunda fursa kwa ubongo kuimarisha uhusiano katika maeneo ambayo yanaunganisha ufahamu wa nafasi (inahitajika kwa hisabati), lugha (inahitajika kwa Kiingereza na ujuzi wa kijamii), tahadhari na uwezo wa kugundua na kuchukua habari (inahitajika kwa kujifunza) na kutatua tatizo (inahitajika kuendesha maisha bila wasiwasi au kukata tamaa). Wakati tunafanya mazoezi, misuli yetu hupokea habari kutoka kwa ubongo wetu, na kila wakati tunapofanya mazoezi, ubongo wetu hupokea maoni juu ya mafanikio au ukosefu wa mafanikio ya mazoezi. Kadiri watoto wanavyoendelea na harakati zao, ndivyo wanavyozidi kuelewa mwili wao na ulimwengu wanaoishi. Harakati ni muhimu kwa maendeleo ya neva na kama Mtaalamu wa Matibabu ya Kazi naona ni hatua ya kwanza katika kupata tayari kujifunza kila siku.