Today, almost two years after starting the program we do daily with Mara, I can assure you that it is a much better approach when it comes to development for children. And not just children with Down syndrome. This applies includes the neuro-typical children as well – Lennox also follows this program.
The video below shows my absolute favorite core exercise that we used with Mara. It is called brachiation preparation. (Brachiation is, basically, using monkey bars.) We started brachiation preparation when Mara was about 5-months-old. Why is brachiation important? Brachiation is important because it helps the child to create a bigger, better chest. As a result, the baby breathes more deeply, regularly and maturely.
Oh, potty training! When it comes to delays in children with Down syndrome, I have read a lot about potty-training. I must confess that I found it really intimidating. But that did not stopped me from continuing to research. During my time trying to learn more about successful potty-training experiences, I learned about “elimination communication”. I found stories from many moms talking about how by using this method, they had been able to get their kids with DS potty-trained within a neuro-typical range.
Kids with Down syndrome, as well as many typically developed kids and others with special needs, have low muscle tone in their feet and legs. Bones in children are not entirely developed and if a shoe is not properly fitted, then the child’s body’s biomechanics can be altered. Therefore, careful consideration is needed to support the foot and to encourage proper form when walking.
I hear this over and over: “I just want my kid to be happy!” or “Don’t you just want your kids to be happy?” And yet… I would not say that my goal is to make my kids happy. To be clear, it is not to make them unhappy either.
Children with Down syndrome are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse. Here is why.
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