The Spirit of The Child

2. The Spirit of The Child

4. “I had never considered that we weave our spirits into everything we do and everyone we meet.” Myss, C, Anatomy of the Spirit, Harmony Books, 1996, pp.18

5. Energy Anatomy

6. Ch’i/Qi: • a form of life energy • pervades everything • keeps life processes going • acupuncture/pressure point techniques • influence the flow of ch’i

7. Ch’i/Qi meridians

8. Chakra 7 Chakra 6 Chakra 5 Chakra 4 Chakra 3 Chakra 2 Chakra 1 Campbell, J, The Mythic Image, Princeton University Press, 1974

9. Root Chakra (1): 0 - 12 months • Physical Body Support • Base of Spine • Legs, bones • Feet • Rectum • Immune System • ……………………………….. • Attachment/bonding • Physical safety/security • Embodiment • Grounding • Will to survive

10. Sacral Chakra (2): 6-18 months • Sexual organs • Large intestine • Lumbar region • Pelvic girdle • Appendix • Bladder …………………………. Creativity Emotional language Personal choice Feelings of fulfillment Exploration through movement Separation & attachment

11. Functions of pelvic floor: • support for inner organs • passage for urethra, sex organs, rectum • antagonist of breathing muscles • helps with breathing function • coordinated triggering of movement • balance • good body posture

12. Solar Plexus Chakra (3): 1.5 -3 years • Abdomen • Stomach • Upper intestines • Liver, Gallbladder • Kidney, pancreas • Adrenal Glands • Spleen • Middle spine ……………………………… Trust Autonomy and willfulness Self esteem, self confidence Intuition Personal power

13. Heart Chakra (4): 4-7 years • Heart and circulatory system • Lungs • Shoulders, upper extremities • Ribs/breast • Diaphragm • Thymus gland ………………………………… Empathy and moral behavior Grief and anger Forgiveness Love Compassion/caring Unity Centeredness

14. Shoulder girdle provides: • suspension for upper extremities • stable base for arm & fine motor • strength and stability • shock absorber between scapula & sternum

15. Throat Chakra (5): 7-12 years • Throat • Thyroid • Trachea, esophagus • Cervical spine • Mouth,teeth, gums • Parathyroid • Hypothalmus • ……………………….. Choice & strength of will Personal expression Faith & knowledge Judgment & criticism Honesty Communication

16. Neck and base of skull: • crucial to head posture • conduit for flow of energy • from head to rest of body • support of mandible & tongue • stability for swallowing

17. Brow Chakra (6): Adolescence • Brain • Nervous system • Eyes, ears, nose • Pineal gland • Pituitary gland ……………………………………. Self evaluation Truth/emotional intelligence Intellectual abilities Openness to ideas of others Ability to learn from experience Reality vs delusion Action Dreams

18. Crown Chakra (7): Adults • Muscular system • Skeletal system • Skin …………………………….. Ability to trust life Universal energy Wisdom Knowledge Values, ethics, courage Humanitarianism Selflessness Ability to see larger pattern Faith/inspiration/spirituality Myss, C, Anatomy of the Spirit, Crown Publishers, 1996 Anodea, J, Fostering Healthy Chakras in Children, 1996

19. Intuition

20. Incorporate: • Intuition • with • Evidence based practice • or • best information available

21. Waking daydream • World beyond/behind the eyes • A clarity behind conscious thought • Awaken in the night and know • 6th sense • Gut instinct

23. “We are more than our physical bodies” Robert Monroe

24. At age 2 weeks, babies are still putting on their bodies when awakening

25. Forbabies: • The world is new • No emotional overlay • Behavior is developing

26. Let the child initially take the lead • Observe • Read the eyes • Listen for sighs

27. Be completely present in the moment.

28. Get the baby to talk first • Eye contact • Smiling • Vocalizing

30. Centering

31. Uncentered child • Physically: • off balance • Emotionally: • uncontained emotion • meltdowns/tantrums

32. “Centering includes quieting oneself, getting focused and ignoring distractions in the environment.” Dailey, B, “Therapeutic Touch and Energetic Healing in Pediatrics”, Developing Child: In the Beginning, An International Conference on Pediatrics, University of New England, 2001

33. Developing balance = • finding center

36. Well balanced/centered child: • Positive • Disciplined • Patient • Confident

38. Balance work: • Creating body memory • Increasing fluidity: • physically & emotionally

40. Bodies learn how to learn

41. Learning to learn enhances initial skills in • self advocacy • self-determination

42. Jump-starting • self-awareness : • Difficulty with • sensory information • Tolerance of • sensory information

43. Sensory processing: • perception and development of analog of reality • integration of soul/personality • connection with Earth and other • giving/receiving • embodiment & perception (separation) • Postural Stability: • support/control • congruence, all levels of consciousness • Engagement: • connection; • co-creation of reality; • “showing up” • “including self” • sovereignty • Attitude: • expressing Karma/gene tics • components of resilience • optimism • fairness, curiosity Integrated Awareness Pierce, S, PT,Integrated Awareness, The Icelandic Dialogues, Healing The Healers, 2005

44. Years later: comfortable with new learning challenges

45. “With children change is not always gradual. Rapid change can occur. Children can change overnight.” Scalise-Smith, D, “Developmental Motor Learning”, The Developing Child: An International Conference on Pediatrics, University of New England, 2001

47. Observe first. Emotional/social overlay makesseeingdifficult