Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. Albert Einstein

I love to play. Who doesn't? We all work for the weekend so we can relax and play. Even activities that we chose for leisure as adults help us unwind and recharge. Play does the same for children - it is a means for handling emotions, having fun, and learning in so many ways. 

We are a play-based company - dedicated to helping others learn about how play forms a child.  In preparation for a lecture we are going to be giving next year, I've been reading a wonderful book called "Einstein Never Used Flashcards." The book is authored by Drs. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff and I am really enjoying it and recommend it for anyone raising or teaching children. The purpose of the book is to educate those working with children so that they can understand how a child naturally develops, how that development can be supported through play, and how and why we got to a point where our society values educational milestones so early in a child's life.  After learning this valuable information, adults can become empowered to make informed decisions for their children on choices from organized activities to toy selection.

One of my favorite sections of this book explores pretend play or imaginative play. This has always been one of my favorite types of play because it draws on a child's creative side.  In "Einstein Never Used Flashcards" the authors tell that pretend play has early beginnings with young infants in playing using symbols  - or symbolic play.  They state that at any place on the earth, symbols are used to represent things - both words and objects, so symbolic or pretend play is a basic necessity for all to learn.  This type of the play is also vital for language and social skills. I love an example they use to illustrate the progression of pretend play - or symbolic play. Their example looks something like this;

* 6-9 months - baby explores objects (often by mouth) to determine size, texture and other properties. A baby at this age would be doing this with a simple toy like a rubber phone.

* 23 months - that same baby might interact with the toy appropriately in a cause and effect type learning situation. She may push the buttons on that phone and hear a sound. She might also use something else like a hammer to hit the phone and make the same sound. Early play with objects like a doll (covering her up, feeding a bottle) are also common at this stage.

*3.5 years - At this age, toddlers are often pretend playing with small sets (like a farm and animals) but can use other objects (like that same old phone) for purposes other than their actual one. The example they provide is that the phone might be the cow's "baby."

We often see our children in single moments of time - a snap shot of today. Wouldn't it be interesting to catch them interact with the same 3 or 4 toys every 9 months or so and compare side by side how their skills change?  I find it fascinating that simple chewing on a play phone at 6 months old is a foundation for elaborate imagination journeys later in life. If you think hard, you can almost hear how that child's language skills progress as he/she plays.

When giving toy recommendations, my favorite piece of  advice for parents is to chose a toy that can be used at many stages of development and that don't "do it all" for a child - in other words a "forever toy." I'm also not a huge battery toy fan but that's besides the point! The perfect example is blocks. They could be used similarly to the example above...mouthing, throwing down to hear the noise, stacking, building a mighty castle, being driven as a "car," or playing the roles of two "friends" trying to decide what to do that particular day.

Looking back at my childhood, my favorite "forever toy" was a soft plain brown bear that was a gift from my sweet aunt to me in the hospital on the day I was born. I like to think of myself as a fairly creative person, but maybe that was a trait I acquired later on as I simply named him "Teddy." I'm sure that like the baby described above, I chewed on Teddy and threw him down (his battle scars are pretty convincing evidence). I remember wrapping him like a baby and dressing him in my younger brother's baby clothes.  He served as a security item and traveled with me many new places. He's even been to Europe and Hawaii and spent 2 agonizing days away from me lost in a church pew. I remember even as a tween using him to do gymnastics in front on me so that I could visualize how to do a new trick. He's ratty and worn, but he helped me learn many things, expand my imagination, and is now a reminder of many sweet childhood memories. 
                                                 A 34 year old well loved friend


Lots of childhood items dropped off here from my mother got trashed. Teddy made the cut. Apparently, he still has some magic. Tomorrow, in celebration of T week in Kindergarten, my daughter and her classmates will bring in Teddy Bears to have a sleepover in their classroom. Of all the fluffy, fancy, Build-A-Bear creations in this house of 2 girls, guess who landed the invite?  There is magic in a "forever toy" and in the power that imaginative play can bless a child with. So grab a huge box from your local hardware store and finger paint your dream house, line up the kitchen chairs and sit first class on your airplane, or open those dusty boxes and share your "forever toy" and your imagination with your little ones today.
Monday, September 19, 2011

Tips From the Trenches

I look forward every month to receiving my Parents magazine.  I enjoy perusing the pages for many reasons:  cute crafts, kid-friendly recipes, articles on discipline and medical issues.  But the monthly article I most look forward to is “It Worked For Me!”, where moms (and dads) send in easy, almost common sense, solutions to everyday problems or share their creative tips on everything from getting your kid to eat broccoli to potty training successes.

This month Parents is celebrating their 85th anniversary.  So in celebration of their milestone, they compiled 25 of their best “It Worked For Me!” tips for this month’s magazine.  There are some really good ones that I couldn’t wait to share with our readers!  So just in case you don’t receive the magazine or if you haven’t had time to read your copy yet, I sifted through the top 25 and created my top 10.  Hope you find something creative and practical to make your life and your family’s life a little easier!

*To prevent ice cream from dripping through the bottom of a sugar cone, push a marshmallow into the bottom of the cone.  It will soak up the drips and be a yummy surprise when the kids reach the end of the cone!

*To help motivate uninterested potty trainers, put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet bowl water.  Change up the colors so it is a surprise each time your little one visits the potty and before long they will potty trained and know their colors!

*To save your children’s artwork, laminate it and use it as placemats.  This can help you hold onto their masterpieces and give you back some wall space.

*Use bathtub decals, wrapped around the pedals of your child’s bicycle, to prevent his feet from slipping off.

*Use clean Frisbees, turned upside down, as your child’s plate.  The rim of the Frisbee will help them scoop and push food onto their utensils more successfully.

*To help your soap dispenser dole out the right amount of soap for little hands, wrap a rubber band around the neck of the dispenser so the pump will only go down half way.

*To help your child transition from the crib to a regular sized bed, put the mattress on the floor.  If they fall out in the beginning, they will only fall a few inches to the floor.  After a few weeks add the box spring, then the bed frame.

*To quiet an extra noisy toy, cover the speaker with painter’s tape.  The tape reduces the volume and it can be removed without leaving behind a sticky residue.

*Place a pool noodle, cut to the appropriate length, under your couch to block toys from getting lost.

*Store the baby wipes container upside down every so often to re-moisten the top wipes and keep the wipes on the bottom from getting too soggy.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011

What is your AFRICA?

Two daughters in school means a new season for this Mommy. More time....to work, exercise, miss my children :), and reclaim some "me time." A goal that I've aimed for when this time in my life came upon me, was to participate in a women's bible study at my church. A time to recharge, renew, reflect, and have some time with ladies that I really value in my life. Our first meeting is tomorrow and to prepare, I used my coffee time this morning to read the introduction and first chapter of the book we are using.  The author introduces a story - his story - of what led him from a comfortable life as a CEO of a major company to working for a non-profit serving the most ill and poor in Africa. I could tell from the start of this book, that I'd be teary eyed during many readings and by the end of the first chapter was already asking myself similar questions that the author had asked himself, including what my role is in making this world a better place? How can I push myself to consider others beyond daily mundane routines? Where or what is MY AFRICA?

Surprisingly to me, I got my answers clear as crystal as the my day unfolded before me.  A young, single mom struggling with social issues and raising a special needs child. A separated parent needing encouragement. My children needing more patience than I had at the moment. One after one, I seemed to see what I was looking for without even trying. It may not be as glamorous as Angelina Jolie's international efforts or the author's of this book. I'm certain it didn't completely solve any one's problems that I encountered today or heal any deep wounds. But it was something I could give. If filling up an emotional piggy bank to help someone feel better could work, it was a few coins.

I felt inspired by what I read today to look beyond the things that had me sluggish and grumpy when I woke this morning (worry about a few people in my life, broken toe, cluttered house, carb-free breakfast if you care to know) and wanted to share with you. We all have something to give. It may not be hundreds of mosquito nets in Africa. It may be as simple as a smile to a stranger, an extra 5 minutes of hugs for your child at bedtime, free babysitting for a single parent, showing up and doing instead of saying "call me if you need anything," or an unexpected warm meal for someone who is hurting. What is YOUR AFRICA? What is our children's Africa? I believe that no mater what their age, they have something to give as well, and that they learn selflessness (what's that? It certainly isn't on many reality shows???) through our example. I learned from another parent and have passed on to my children the following words "you may be some one's only light today. Go Shine!" I use this often on their love notes in their lunches or in their ears with a goodbye squeeze before the bus pulls up.

Look around. I learned today that it's not that hard to find "AFRICA" all around you, whatever continent you live on! There are many emotional piggy banks that need filled around us -- how much change to do you have to give today??
Monday, September 5, 2011

Smart Shoe Shopping for Children

Two weeks into school, and while most of the back to school "to-do's" are checked off our list, I'm still searching online for school shoes. The days that my daughters can get by with their hiking style sandals are numbered and I need to purchase something.  I always have a tough time choosing shoes, finding it difficult to find something they like the look of, that I agree on, and that I feel will allow them comfort, function, and will last us through the year.  

As a physical therapist, I am often asked about shoe recommendations. I answer with a combination of information that I have gathered from research articles, experience, and other therapists that mentored me as a graduate student years ago.  The simplest way that I have found to explain the qualities of a good shoe are in this way. If you shut your eyes and stand on one foot, you will notice that your ankle and your foot make tiny movements to keep you balanced.  These movements, are balance strategies, and while they are occurring, tiny receptors in the muscles of the foot and around the ankle are sending messages to your brain to heighten awareness of your body's proprioception (where your body is in space).  With practice, your body improves it's "muscle memory" and when needed, your body can count on this muscle memory to prevent you from injury.  For example, when you step off a curb unexpectedly, and your ankle twists,  and automatically returns to upright, versus causing you to collapse on your side, this muscle memory has served you well and protected you. 

If you choose a rigid shoe for your child, they lose the opportunity for their feet and ankles to practice these balance strategies and for their arches to develop. If you've heard "barefoot is best" before, this is why. But we can't expect our children to walk barefoot outside and in the cold, so when you chose a shoe, you should look for a sole that can bend in half when you turn it upside down and can twist easily if you move it in the same way that you'd wring out a wash cloth. 

Not all of us can afford very expensive shoes for children, but knowing what qualities to look for give you guidance when shopping in any price range.  The exception to this rule is for children with lower muscle tone. These children often need a more supportive shoe, because their bodies do not provide adequate support on their own.  If your child has lower muscle tone, consult a physical therapist or certified orthotist for recommendations on orthotics and/or shoe wear.

When searching for shoes for my daughters, I came across a blog entry written by Dr. Mark Cucuzzella.  Dr Cucuzella is a family physician at Harpers Ferry Family Medicine in WV, an Associate Professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine, and the owner of Two Rivers (TR) Treads, the nation's first minimalist-only running store. He is also the race director of Freedom's Run, a wonderful growing charity race in my community.  The blog entry is a great source and specific explanation of shoe recommendations and overall orthopedic development in children. While I'm not officially representing or endorsing any certain brand of shoe, I think this information is extremely helpful and hope you find it as helpful as a mother as I did! Happy shoe shopping!

The full article can be found at : http://www.runblogger.com/2011/01/proper-shoes-for-kids-thoughts-from.html
Thoughts On A Proper Child’s Shoe
_RYA0192As a family physician, I firmly believe that children should play in their bare feet or in activity shoes that complement natural foot development and proper biomechanics of movement. Runners, walkers, coaches, and the medical community are all awakening to the benefits of allowing proper natural foot motion to occur in all of our daily activities. Leaders in the running mechanics, sports medicine, dancing, and yoga/tai chi communities all understand that the smartest design that will ever be developed for human movement and injury free activity is the human foot itself. Running shoe companies are slowly hearing this message and adapting their product lines to create footwear that allows your foot to behave like a foot, but most have only applied this new thinking to adult models. Unfortunately, the modern shoe industry and its marketing machine effectively convince parents that when running, a child should wear miniature versions of traditional adult running shoes; almost all of which have elevated heels, extreme cushioning, and some form of motion control technology. Many dress shoes for children are also stiff and overly supportive. Personally, as a doctor I firmly believe that the strongest form of support for a child is a strong foot that is flat on the ground.
infant feetHere’s an important point to keep in mind – a child’s foot is not a miniature version of an adult’s foot. In early development, a child’s foot is widest across the toes. If our population wore shoes that were designed with this functional shape from birth, most adults would also have feet with the greatest width located across the toes, and the toes would be perfectly aligned with the metatarsals (the long bones in midfoot). Most of a child’s developing foot is composed of cartilage, which is gradually replaced by bone. If the cartilage is deformed by badly shaped or rigid shoes, the bones will take on the deformed shape. More than 80% of foot problems, bunions and injuries are a result of misshaped and inflexible shoes. It’s vital that kid’s shoes allow enough room for natural growth, until the foot bones mature. This doesn’t happen until ages 18-19 for girls and 20-21 for boys. Simply put; inflexible, poorly shaped shoes are potentially harmful – they restrict the natural movement and development of the foot.
Research and education efforts from places, people, and organizations like the University of Virginia SPEED Clinic, Dr. Daniel Lieberman of Harvard University, and Chi Running are together allowing runners and walkers to re-look at old concepts related to form and footwear. More importantly, innovative shoe manufacturers such as Newton Running, Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot, Vibram, Kigo and newcomers Altra and STEM are now producing foot-friendly shoes that people can use to more effectively apply new concepts in their own self-experiments. It is hard to find a single one of the now thousands of runners and walkers who have made proper changes in their gait, and complemented this with footwear void of elevated heel/motion control features, who wants to return to the old way of heel crash pads and inefficient gait.
CIMG1601Currently, almost every running shoe company has products in development supporting natural running, and we are beginning to see the very first steps by many of them away from heavy cushioning and elevated heels. Again though, most of these new shoes are being made solely for adults. Outside of a few select brands, with Terra Plana Vivo Kids being the model (see the photo of the TP Pally to the left), a void exists in the development of proper youth footwear, where natural foot function and development are perhaps most critical.
Unfortunately, the medical establishment often fails to recognize what to many seems so obvious – a child’s foot is best off when it is interfered with the least. For example, without any supporting evidence, the President of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM ) David Davidson made this comment when asked about children’s footwear by Running Times MagazineKids should not be running in minimalist footwear at all, and as in other shoes, should be wearing brand name running shoes with good motion control, cushioning, etc…” I believe the opposite. I feel children should run barefoot as much as possible, and when they need a shoe, they should wear one that allows the young foot to develop its natural strength, support, and function. Parents should think twice before heeding the message that their children need “sturdy” or “supportive” shoes. As Dr. Lieberman demonstrated so well in his landmark paper in Nature (Jan 26, 2010), footwear can have a large influence on natural gait.
I find it highly unusual and there are no supporting documents to the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) parent flyer which states that parents should “Select a shoe that’s rigid in the middle. Does your shoe twist? Your shoe should never twist in the middle.” Curiously, right below that piece, and written in fine print, there is this accurate statement: “Step three does not apply to toddlers shoes. For toddlers, shoes should be as flexible as possible.” I’m left wondering “So at what time does a toddler become a child and we bind their feet up?”
IMG00258As a parent and physician I believe that the APMA statements could cause harm in a developing child's foot. A foot builds its own intrinsic support via communication with the ground, building strength and stability through proprioception, and allowing normal force loads to be applied to the areas that nature intended. If you change anything from what is normal in a developing child, then you proceed at your own peril. For example, when I was a child the APMA suggested bracing as a treatment for intoeing (feet that turn inward instead of pointing straight ahead) – fortunately this practice has been banned. The results were extreme tibial rotation and for me, I wound up needing patellar tendon realignments at age 13 due to completely misaligned tibia and patellas (kneecaps)....I missed a large portion of my high school running due to this.
A parent will almost always do what the experts say is best for their children, and the APMA statement that is mentioned above is one that I would challenge. Do I have studies for this....unfortunately, not good ones. Conceptual and evolutionary evidence is the best we have here. For one example, we see many high school runners with hallux valgus -- "big toes pointed in." Hallux valgus is generally caused by ill-fitting shoes with a pointed toebox. Furthermore, most runners, both young and old, cannot stabilize and balance on one foot. To run properly, you must be able to do this.
The next time you are in a park, watch a child run barefoot (see video below). Notice the relaxed movement and foot placement. They lean slightly forward and their legs fall out behind them. They do not strike hard on their heels. Then watch the child with the highly cushioned or supportive shoe. The difference is easy to see.
5yo Barefoot Running in Grass from Runblogger on Vimeo.
So what are the important features to look for in a child’s shoe?
· Ultra-thin soles to allow proper proprioception, neuromuscular activation in the entire kinetic chain, and to complement the body’s natural ability to absorb ground forces.
· Low, flat to the ground profile – shoes should allow all play activity that involves climbing, running, and jumping. Shoes should enhance lateral movement since the foot will not be up on a platform or have a slope from heel to forefoot.
· The materials should be soft and supple, thereby allowing natural foot function. The shoe should bend easily at the toe joints – this is where a foot is designed to bend to recreate the arch on takeoff. See the TR Treads website on Footwear Education for more on this.
· The toebox should be wide enough to allow natural toe spread (Runblogger’s note: check out this video of running toe splay on ground contact in my 5 year old daughter). Foot support is created by the natural arch of the foot with the great toe stabilizing the arch. When the heel is elevated and great toe deviated toward the second toe (a common design flaw in many shoes which come to a point), this stability is compromised. The foot produces the most leverage when the toes are straight and aligned with the metatarsals. A child’s foot is widest at the ends of the toes (as should an adult’s be if they have been in proper shoes or barefoot).
· A single piece midsole/outsole allowing protection on unnatural surfaces (concrete, asphalt) and natural rough surfaces (rock,trail) while allowing proprioception and natural dissipation of ground reaction forces.
· Upper material should be soft, breathable, and washable.
· Get over the notion that shoes need “traction.” In a moving child the more stickiness and grip, the more heat produced in the foot and braking moments on running activity.
· Discourage the use of thick, heavy socks as these interfere with foot proprioception.
· All efforts should be made to use recycled materials in the construction of the shoe.
· Shoes should be a good value and of comparable price to other children’s shoes.
· Design and colors should inspire fun and play.
· And critical is proper fit. For tips see the Two Rivers Treads Shoe Fitting Guide in their expansive Footwear Education section.
· For another great resource on children’s footwear, read this article by Dr. William Rossi DPM.
Why do I care so passionately about this? The most important reason is that I am a parent and want to do what is best for my children and not be influenced by marketing claims or trends. I have been a competitive distance runner my entire life and am personally involved in multiple projects and grants involving both youth and adult physical fitness. If we can teach proper approaches to pain free activity throughout life then the daily walk or run will be sustainable.
I had both of my feet operated on 10 years ago at age 33 for severe arthritis caused by a combination of improper gait mechanics, lots of hard miles as a collegiate and post collegiate runner, and the negative influence of new trends in footwear such as elevated heels and crash pads. The foot instability this created and greater impact in the great toe joint caused this joint to deteriorate. I had the joints fused in both feet and instead of taking the standard doctor’s advice of not running anymore, I chose to relearn how to run. I also got heavily involved in footwear design and function for runners and children. Read my story here on zero-drop.com.
IMG00260I have watched my own children dramatically change their movement patterns after discarding the heavy, inflexible “Sketchers with lights” and getting them into slip-on Vivo Barefoot kids shoes. They will not put anything else on their feet now when they need to have shoes. We gave away 180 pairs of Vivo Barefoot kids shoes at Freedom’s Run for our kids run thanks to the combined generosity of Two Rivers Treads and Terra Plana. See story….scroll down. Dozens of moms and kids have thanked me for the discovery they have made (Runblogger’s note: as do I – Mark was kind enough to send me a pair of Vivo Barefoot Kids Pally’s for my 5 year old daughter, and she and I both love them).
The beauty of this field is that it is evolving rapidly, we are all discovering new things, there is no one correct answer, and as a field we are doing the needed research. My personal results as a study of one give me the authority to say that you can retrain how you move, and that footwear does have an influence. I began running barefoot at the beach when I was 12. This was the beautiful movement that I can still remember. Thirty-one years later, I finished in the top 10 for runners over age 40 at the 2010 Boston Marathon in a time of 2:34. I’ve run under 2:35 for a marathon 22 of the last 24 years, with misses only during my medical intern year and in 2009 when I ran a 2:37. My training miles are minimal now for these efforts. Knowledge and application of gait principles and use of optimal footwear allows effortless movement to occur. It’s “no pain…thank you” instead of “no pain…no gain”.
It all starts with the children. Adults make their own decisions but children cannot. We need to see further collaboration among many fields – as Dr. George Sheehan so eloquently stated in 1975:
If athletes were given less care and more thought, the doctors might come up with some original ideas on why illness persists, why injury doesn’t clear up. If more non-physicians – podiatrists and physiotherapists for instance – could be induced to lend their ideas and talents, we might see a completely new approach to sports medicine. If the athlete had to wait longer for surgery, he might have time to recover from his ailments.
Footwear designers are a critical part of the future of preventive sports medicine, and they need to start thinking more about our children.
Long may you run…
Mark Cucuzzella MD FAAFP
Associate Professor of Family Medicine West Virginia University
Lt Col USAF Reserves – Coach/Captain USAF Marathon Team
Race Director Freedom’s Run www.freedomsrun.org
Owner of Two Rivers Treads- A Center for Natural Running and Walking

A few additional articles and websites of interest:
· Rossi- Proper Children’s Footwear
· Rossi- Fashion shoes….see page 10 and 11 of this interesting article
· Journal of Family Practice review of functional flat feet in children….this is NOT a disease needing treatment.
· Barefoot Parents Website
· Template for proper fitting of child shoe . Size up at least a half centimeter to allow for sock and foot spread
Medical Consultant for ChiRunning, Newton Running, and the US Air Force Marathon

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Welcome to our blog! As longtime friends, we recently decided to combine our professional experience (as a speech-language pathologist and physical therapist) and "Mommy Experience" to create a company dedicated to something we are both extremely passionate about - letting kids be kids! Milestones and Miracles, LLC was formed in 2010. Our mission is to empower parents in understanding the natural progression of their child's development (and not rush it along and skip stages). We develop and provide developmental products to support this learning process, bonding families through engaging, fun, and meaningful experiences! We are thrilled to share that our first product, 1 2 3 Just Play With Me is available for sale. Visit www.milestonesandmiracles.com to learn more and order a unique product for yourself & your child or as a gift! We will continue use this blog to share about topics that interest and excite us. Stay tuned!

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