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It is a healthy touch activity between parent/caregiver & child that promotes healthy family development by strengthening the physical & emotional well-being of infants, young children and all family/caregiver members involved. As a Certified Educator with our international association located in Sweden , I teach parents and caregivers how to massage their child - beginning at age three weeks and for the growing child. Contact with the child remains exclusive to the parent(s)/caregiver(s). Massage promotes early physiological and neurological development and function, and is especially helpful for premature infants. Private Classes: 75 minutes. Once a week, for four weeks. Group Classes: 90 minutes. Once a week, for five weeks. To find a private or group parent/family infant massage class in your area, please contact the Association's USA Office: http://www.infantmassageusa.org. Healthy touch is a key element in promoting secure bonding & attachment between children and their parents/caregivers. Bonding is the early contact between the two parties, and it enhances their relationship throughout life. Attachment is the shared experiences and the exchange of verbal and non- verbal communication that create mutual feelings of love, comfort, trust and respect. This is a life long process that begins before birth. Healthy massage can only enhance this process by increasing the probability of successful parent/caregiver and child relationships -- facilitating the establishment of security, availability and support for the child and ultimately empowering the parents because they now have a tool to help their child grow in a whole new healthy and loving way. | | Clinical research shows that massage has significant effects for both parents/caregivers and infants/children: | - Reduces stress and tension for both parties: Release of oxytocin - the nurturing hormone
- Promotes circulation: Increasing the flow & efficiency of the body systems - blood, lymph, etc..
- Promotes healing: Stimulating and utilizing the body's own natural resources
- Increases awareness of verbal & non-verbal communication: Empowers parents/caregivers
- Increases attachment and bonding: Creating a special relationship to last a lifetime
- Soothes and Relieves gastrointestinal discomfort and symptoms of colic: Empowers parents/caregivers and helps both parties get through the day...and night.
- Increases sociability: Child learns to respond to healthy touch - decreasing stress & anxiety in social and public situations
- Promotes physiological, neurological and psychological development and function: Stimulates growth and development for well-babies, drug-exposed infants and special-needs children
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