Movement for Babies & Children

The Child’Space® Method developed by Dr Chava Shelhav (an original student of Moshe Feldenkrais), applies the principles of the Feldenkrais Method to working with babies and infants. It recognises that babies develop at their own pace and need space to grow into their own. In these sessions the practitioner uses touch, movement and sensory engagement to enrich a baby's learning from birth until independent walking and beyond. Movement experiences are fundamental to the development of us human beings and to our ability to learn many skills. Child’Space® lessons support a baby’s growing sense of self and ability to learn and interact with their environment. 

 

Group Sessions

I teach small movement groups for parents, caregivers and their babies where you learn to observe and understand your baby’s development more closely than the busy days of caring for your baby might allow. Communicating through touch and movement, you learn to actively support and enhance your baby’s sensory-motor development. We also sing songs and play with rhythm and selected toys to foster your baby’s speech, cognitive and social development. Attending Child’Space® classes supports the bond between you and your baby and promotes secure attachment. It can also give you more ideas of what to play with with your baby or how to soothe your baby.

 

Group classes provide a lovely environment to meet other parents with babies of similar ages and offer a space to ask questions you might have about your baby’s development. Some parents tell me how much they value to simply sit, watch and interact with their baby without the usual distractions of everyday life.

To start a new group we need four to six parent-baby couples and the babies need to be close in age (two months) or abilities. When I get an inquiry, I will usually gather more interest to form a new group and often the parents help by asking their friends or NCT contacts.

 

 

Through Child'Space® lessons parents will: 

 

• Gain a clearer understanding of early infant development 
• Learn hands-on skills to increase body awareness and regulate muscle tone in their baby
• Foster their baby’s ability to self-soothe (regulate)
• Help their baby to enjoy tummy time
• Help to improve their baby’s quality of movement in rolling, sitting, creeping, crawling, standing and walking 
• Find new ways to play and connect with their baby
   

Individual Sessons 

In my private practice I also work individually with babies who experience developmental delays, have special needs or experience neurological challenges. We will focus on what the baby is able to do and is comfortable with before determining what the missing elements are. In a playful way, communicating through movement and touch, I will then guide the baby to new steps and solutions. As a baby’s ability to learn and absorb new information is exceptional at this young age, changes are often seen quickly and are usually long lasting. Addressing challenges early on often prevents later difficulties from developing.

I very much work in partnership with you, the parents so that you will be able to support your baby’s learning at home.

 

Child'Space® lessons can benefit babies with: 

 

• Developmental delays
• Sensory Processing issues
• Autism Spectrum Disorder 
• Cerebral Palsy and Hemiplegia
• Brain damage
   

Schedule:  Wednesday, Thurdays and Fridays 

Location: Unit 4 Yoga, Feldenkrais & Natural Health Centre
20-26 Round Hill Street (off Ditchling Road), Brighton BN2 3RG

Price: £58.00 (45-60 min) £55.00 (for multiple lessons on the same day or a series of lessons over several days)

 

Please email me to book a lesson for your baby or child

 

I comply with the Feldenkrais Guild UK Code of Ethics 

Child'Space / Feldenkrais Lessons (Children) 

When working with older children I also draw on my experience as a Kindergarten teacher and Feldenkrais practitioner. Besides using movement and touch, I incorporate a variety of props like balls, ropes, hula hoops, cloths, streamers etc. to support activities like throwing, catching, jumping, balancing and so forth. Engaging in these ‘games’ children will practice their coordination, flexibility, balance and orientation in space - all important factors in well organised movement. Many of these motor functions lay the foundation for later learning such as reading, writing and arithmetic. Feeling at home in our bodies and comfortable in ourselves is fundamental to our ability to focus on a task, engage in a new learning situation or interact with the world. 

 

Each child is unique and will employ different learning strategies and it is therefore important to acknowledge individual abilities and strengths as well as supporting underdeveloped or missing components. I aim to create a safe and stimulating learning environment where children are free to explore their abilities and difficulties and find creative and constructive solutions.

 

Feldenkrais lessons can benefit children with: 

 

• Global learning difficulties

• Sensory Processing Disorder

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• ADHD
   

Feldenkrais lessons help children to:

 

 

• Feel more comfortable in themselves

• Improve their movement skills

• Self regulate more easily and effectively

• Improve their concentration and their ability to focus on a task

• Feel more confident and independent

• Express their creativity

“I joined Sabine’s Child’Space® course when my daughter Alba was three and a half months old, and it has been such a positive experience. I’ve found it incredibly helpful in building my confidence to support Alba’s development. Sabine is both reassuring and highly knowledgeable about baby development, and she shares her expertise in a way that feels very supportive. Her calm, warm approach creates a welcoming and comfortable space to be in. Alba has always loved the sessions and seems to enjoy the opportunity to interact with other babies and explore her movements.  It’s been a lovely space for both of us, and I would highly recommend it to other parents.”

Amy T, Occupational Therapist