Babies Outdoors Jane Waters Babies outdoors Overview Importance - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Babies Outdoors Jane Waters

Babies outdoors • Overview • Importance for vision • Development of vestibular system • Development of proprioceptor system • Barriers and solutions

Bobby • Visual development • BOBBY VIDEOS (available from SIREN films) • 15 mins and review

Being outside and near-sightedness • New studies show that natural light may be essential for normal eye development in children

Vestibular system • Video KO 5 mins • The vestibular system is key for survival: it allows for proper balance, locomotion, and orientation • Activities that target the vestibular system: • using a rocking chair (or just rocking back-and-forth) • swinging • jumping • sliding • spinning

Proprioceptive system • The proprioceptive system provides information to the brain about the body’s position in relation to the environment (which direction you are facing, for example, or how close you are to obstacles). • The proprioceptive system also tells you the amount of effort being used to move your body, and regulates both emotional responses and sensory input.

Activities that target the proprioceptive system: • climbing • pushing/pulling • carrying heavy objects/ wearing heavy bag • play-doh • stress balls • press against with a pillow • paint with paintbrushes • suck through a straw

Being outside is good for babies • Watch the Lucas @ 11 months video again (with voice over; video available from SIREN FILMS) • 6 mins and review

What are the barriers to babies in your care being outside?

What are the biggest barriers? • Rank the barriers 1 (biggest barrier; hardest to overcome) to 10 10 (smallest barrier; easiest to overcome)

Together we will identify the four biggest barriers …

We will consider practical solutions to these barriers • Work with a small group of about 4 attendees • Choose people you don’t know! • Talk about the barrier… – Why is this a barrier? – Is it related to safety? – Is it related to the adults’ preferred activity? – Is it related to cost? – … • Discuss how these issues may be overcome; – What do you need to reduce this barrier?

Questions? Comments?