When children don't get enough of the right movement opportunieis as babies, this can leave their sensorimotor systems underdeveloped.

This means that they can struggle to manage everyday activities such as writing, picking up toys and even sitting in a chair without falling off.

Developing core strength and co-ordination are crucial for sensory processing, emotional regulation, building relationships, and learning. Adenydd aims to increase the opportunities for children in deprived areas to develop these essential skills. 

Adenydd worked with two local schools on this pilot project - Waun Wen Primary School and Craigfelen Primary School. We shared knowledge and built understanding with staff and parents though educational sessions and practical activities.

Our goal was to help parents and staff facilitate the development of children's foundational sensorimotor systems through the BUSS (Building Underdeveloped Sensorimotor Systems) model. We also aimed to help them understand why this development is so important for self esteem and success in life and learning.

Being on our tummies is essential for developing strength in our neck, shoulders, back and core muscles. This helps us develop head control and makes us more able to walk, run, sit up properly and navigate stairs.

You can encourage your child to have a snack while on their tummy, or you can read a book to them while they are in this position. Children can also do some colouring while on their tummy.

What other fun activites can you do to help your child play on their tummy?

Crawling is an important activity for developing hand and finger specialisation. This can lead to good fine motor control for actions such as writing.

When a child is given enough opportunity to crawl, this allows the wrist and finger bones to strengthen. Some children begin to walk early and may need more encouragement to practice crawling.

Can you think of fun ways to encourage children to crawl?

We can help children learn to use their sense of touch to differentiate between different objects.

When we are born, the tactile system is in a defensive mode, but when we experience healthy touch, security and safety, our system shifts into a more discriminatory function. We can use this function to learn more about the world around us.

You can help your child learn to use their tactile system by having them feel objects from around your home inside little bags. Watch the video to see an example.

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