Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/14740
MASSAGE ENHANCES COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AND RELAXATION Preschool children receiving short massages twice a week during a fi ve-week study received better ratings on mood state, speech, activity, and cooperation than those who did not receive massage. They also fell asleep faster during naptime. MASSAGE FOSTERS BONDING AND ATTACHMENT BETWEEN PARENT AND CHILD Research shows that nurturing touch is important for the bonding process. It promotes the development of positive interactions between parent and child. This includes understanding a child’s cues, reciprocal respect, secure and healthy attachments, verbal and nonverbal language development, and communication. It’s pretty amazing to know that we can stimulate all this development with a simple and fun massage. TIPS FOR MASSAGING YOUR CHILD To feel what kind of pressure is needed for massaging your child, do the following. Put two fi ngers (index and middle) on your closed eyelids and gently press on your eyeballs. You’ll feel that you can only use a bit of pressure before it feels uncomfortable. That’s the amount of pressure to use for baby and child massage. If you’d like to use a lubricant, a cold-pressed vegetable or seed oil is best (like sunfl ower or grape seed oil). It’s gentle, even to the most sensitive skin, and harmless when ingested (for example, when oily hands get into the mouth). Strokes toward the heart during the massage are considered stimulating. Strokes away from the heart are considered relaxing. A massage before bedtime, for example, could best consist of strokes away from the heart. Never try to do a massage against your child’s will. There might be times when your child is not in the mood and dislikes the activity. Even a small child will give you cues to let you know it’s not the right moment; for example, by pulling away, crying, or looking away from you. Be sensitive to these cues. It will make your child feel respected. Finally, let your hands be soft and loving. Do what feels good to your child and natural to you. You and your child will then be able to relax and enjoy the moment completely. B S Martine Groeneveld is a registered nurse, licensed massage therapist, certifi ed infant massage instructor, and the author of Mommy, Draw Stars on My Tummy: Rhymes, Songs and Touch-Play Activities to Stay Connected (PT Book Publishing, 2009). For more information, visit www.mommydrawstarsonmytummy.com. “ 16 Body Sense Research show that nurturing touch is important for the bonding process. autumn/winter 2010