Tummy Time and Reading
by Darcy Nee
Reading has been described as a “complex cognitive process of decoding symbols for the purpose of deriving meaning (reading comprehension) and/or constructing meaning” (Wikipedia.com). It is a skill that children begin to learn as young as toddlers and develops through their early years in school. However, similar to handwriting skills, the foundation of skills involved with reading begins long before a child can walk or sit.
The basis for motor skills used in reading begins in infancy during tummy time. Although reading is commonly thought to be a mere recognition of shapes and patterns with specific meaning, the act of reading requires subtle and sophisticated eye movements to follow characters across and down a page. There are many aspects of faulty eye movements that cause difficulty or fatigue with reading. The requisite eye rotational movement develops at about 3-4 months of age, coinciding with specific attributes of shoulder stability.
Once shoulder stability is developed multiple rotational movements throughout the body are enabled, including independent eye movement. Younger infants will move their head with their eyes to look at an object. This same head movement is often observed in children having difficulty with reading. The stabilization of the entire shoulder girdle in many planes of movement provides the stability platform from which the rotational eye movement emerges. Through the stabilization of the entire shoulder girdle the activation of the deep neck extensor muscles is triggered. Observe an infant and you will notice when they are able to lift their head while on their stomach, they are then able to rotate the eyes separately from the head as they begin to scan their environment.
Research has shown the relationship from deep neck extensor muscle activation to visual tracking.”Relationship between reaction time of eye movement and activity of the neck extensors” December, 1996, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology. This study showed a strong correlation between shoulder girdle stabilization and reaction time of eye movement.
At Kinetic Konnections we consistently find complete shoulder stability missing, or asymmetries in shoulder stability. Both of these leave the child struggling to read with the ease required as they advance in school.
Kinetic Bridging is particularly effective with engaging the shoulder stability development which in turn enables the deep neck extensor muscles to activate enabling the rotational movement of the eyes. This shoulder stability often can be attained in just in a short series of sessions.
Reading is a very complex task and there are many facets which can cause difficulty with children. If your child has difficulty with reading we also recommend you consult your local Developmental Vision specialist who will be able to fully assess the myriad aspects of visual performance involved.
Add comment October 26th, 2009