Gentle Touch® Parent-Child
Program
Gentle Touch®
Parent-Child Program:
Potential
Benefits to the Child
Physiological
♥
Regulates, stimulates
and strengthens internal organs and body systems by reflex stimulation in the
skin and subcutaneous tissues.
- Feeding-
facilitates lip closure for decreased drooling and improves feeding. Thus, faster weight gain.
- Respiration-
deepens by mechanical assistance and by the tactile system's effect upon
the autonomic nervous system. Cardiac output is
increased. Mucous is moved and
expelled for less congestion.
- Circulation-
increases and improves, especially venous flow. Enhances
blood to the extremities. Reduces certain types
of edema. Improves skin nutrition and helps
remove dry, scaly skin.
- Elimination-
relieves gas, constipation and colic for increased comfort. Improved appetite.
- Immune-
improves lymphatic flow. Strengthens ability to fight
infections.
- Nervous-
speeds nerve myelination for better brain-body
communication.
- Endocrine-
increases endorphin output for decreased pain and discomfort.
♥
Tension is released for improved disposition and sleep patterns.
♥
Child is conditioned to respond to touch with relaxation.
♥
Reduces
hypersensitivity to tactile input.
♥
Tone can be
facilitated if hypotonic, or inhibited if hypertonic.
♥
Decreases
the tendency toward muscular atrophy and/or contractures.
Developmental/
Psychosocial
♥
Promotes an
appropriate level of arousal. Children who are
lethargic are stimulated; hypersensitive are soothed.
♥
Helps
the child self-regulate and "cope".
♥
Promotes
orientation of extremities toward midline.
♥
Enhances
body awareness through visual, tactile, and proprioceptive
input.
♥
Assists
in preparation for range-of-motion or movement activities.
♥
Intellectual and
language development is enhanced due to the
interaction.
♥
Child develops
emotionally by becoming interested in the world and people.
♥
Enhances
attachment to caregiver.
♥
Provides
security via a regular, familiar activity, especially when there is a change in
caregivers or environment.
♥
Child gains
self-esteem and self-respect.
Gentle Touch®
Parent-Child Program:
Potential Benefits to the
Caregiver/Family
♥
Enhances bonding. Way to communicate respect, security, and caring.
♥
Experiences
less stress due to improved relaxation and sleep.
♥
More successful
in breastfeeding as prolactin secretion is enhanced.
♥
Weaning is
smoother when this "special time alone" remains.
♥
Increases
capability and proficiency in nurturing abilities.
♥
Become more
sensitive communicators and responders.
♥
Something can
do in times of illness, stress, or change.
♥
Integrates into
parenting routines. Family participation is encouraged.
♥
Way to share in a
supportive atmosphere.
♥
Gain anticipatory
guidance and parenting and child development
information.
Gentle Touch®
Parent-Child Program
is a holistic supplement to
existing team-oriented therapeutic/developmental
programming.
Ó 1993-2004, Gentle Touch Parent-Child Program, LLC
Emma Miller, D.Div., is the creator of and a trainer for the Gentle Touch® Parent-Child Program for pregnant women,
infants, young children, and families. She is also the
scriptwriter and co-producer of the Gentle Touch® Infant Massage Video. For
more information about the video, caregiver-child services, or training, please
e-mail Program@GentleTouchParent-Child.com.
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