It is gratifying to see how many people have adopted the science behind the decades-long information campaign we have waged about looking at the Developmental Sequence and its profound importance for brain integration. Two points arise on reading an article posted from a parenting blog.
One important understanding that has not been realized by proponents of tummy time for typically developing infants is that the infant does not need 30 minutes of tummy time at a certain stage, 60 minutes daily at another, etc. The fact is that being on the tummy is so important for the developing infant that it should be the DEFAULT POSITION when an infant is not otherwise engaged in nursing, playing, or interacting with family.
The brain has pathways to integrate incoming sensory information and a baby in arms gets lots of visual and auditory stimulation and tactile input. The chart of normal development illustrates well that the incoming sensory pathways should be balanced by an equal amount of motor opportunities.
Babies gain skills and develop most fully when given 50% of their waking time in a receiving mode (in arms, interacting, etc.) and 50% of their time on the floor experimenting with motor skills: developing integration of spinal curves, torso integrity, and the use of their limbs. Gross motor skills are ushered in by the integration of reflexes, many of which only happen with tummy down on the floor.
The second point I would like to make in response to this article that relates directly to the purpose of our work, is that any child who is delayed, injured, or impaired, can GAIN, or REGAIN skills at this low level of the brain by going back to tummy crawling as a remedial activity.
The insights in the article posted below come from the work of the pioneers who first worked with brain-injured clients by replicating the Developmental Sequence*. Many of our clients go right back to crawling to integrate this part of their development.
*One of the early pioneers, who developed the first chart of normal neurological development and also created the framework for what is now known as Sensory Integration, is Florence Scott, R.N. Florence was the teacher of Nina Jonio and me, Bette Lamont. Her work, our work, and the work of our students meets the highest standards for helping children recover when developmental stages have been skipped or injury has occurred.
http://www.nacd.org/down-syndrome-the-importance-of-crawling-on-the-stomach/?fbclid=IwAR1VWlwb3oWeBL4EfVzMnl9s7Ej92Sn5if3Foq8Z7UbxccnRjHW8YsKXP0o