Friendship Village, Vietnam
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Proprioception
Hi guys, this is Lou,
this is Amy, and I'm Shawn.
We are fourth year
Occupational Therapy students
from Southern Cross Univeristy
on the Gold Coast, Australia.
Late last year we were lucky
enough to visit the Friendship Village
in Hanoi, Vietnam.
This was part of a Health Promotion subject.
So, today we are going to discuss the topic
of proprioception.
Using floor activities,
when teaching math or handwriting
can actually increase
proprioceptive input.
So, proprioception is when
we receive information from the
receptors in our muscles and joints
to tell us where our body is in space
without us actually having to look at it
To activate the proprioceptors
an individual needs to actively contract
their muscles against gravity.
To help you remember this,
we have three magic words;
push, pull and carry.
So, using chalk and
a yoga mat on the floor
in this positioning
increases proprioception through
all four limbs.
I'm now actually pushing
against gravity, and i can write.
Push
What not to do is
allow your students to lay on the floor
because in this position
there is not resistance against gravity.
This is the first magic word
Push
Why?
Why use proprioception?
It assists with calming and alerting
which increases attention and focus
and it develops body awareness
This is an important building block for
childhood development.
During this activity
when bodies become restless,
it's time to move!
Using full body movements
we can continue to develop
body awareness,
make learning fun
and maintain focus.
For example,
if the theme of the class
is learning the letter T.
Children could make their bodies
into the shape of a T
or even stand on one leg
for more difficulty.
They can also be creative
by making the shape of a tree
or a turtle.
Let the children use their imagination
have some fun.
Then back to their positioning
to draw their trees and turtle.
So, how in this exercise
can we use our three magic words
push, pull and carry.
This is were it becomes important
that children assist us
in the set up and pack down.
Children can help pull the desks
push them out of the way,
clear the space.
Carry a chair, thank you Shawn.
And obviously we are
pushing on the floor
and can be carrying a bucket.
The most restless student,
is best chosen to carry the bucket.
Water, that is cold
is good proprioceptive input.
Lots of pushing when we are cleaning up.
So, it is important that we use these
strategies that are calming body
and prepares focus
for the next classroom activity.
Thank you for watching