Ortal Goldshmid, Aug 10, 2019
Child'Space and Motherhood-a personal love story
I met Chava Shelhav when I became a mother for the first time. Back then I was a social worker, extremely enthusiastic about the Feldenkrais Method.
As it seemed I had no reason to seek professional advice. My baby and I were within the 'normal range'; the pregnancy and delivery were fine, my daughter was gaining weight, her motor development was a bit slow but still normal, I had the ‘baby blues’ due to hormonal imbalance. Nothing to write home about.
So why did I go?
Interacting with my daughter didn’t come naturally to me. Talking to her felt stupid at first. We were silent most of the day. I didn’t move her much as well- I was insecure.
Somewhere deep inside I felt it could be a lot better for both of us.
Watching my daughter during the session was a turning point in our lives. I saw her in a different light. How well she responded to touch and vocalization, she moved a lot more than usual, she communicated and made sounds. She rolled many times and I realized she didn’t roll that often at home. She was happy. I could see it in her body and facial expressions.
After the lesson she rolled a lot and even found the way to roll from belly to back. Later on, she was rolling to move in space. And I began to play with her- talk to her, make sounds, roll her over, touch her whole self using the techniques I have learnt.
Touch and movement became our language, a significant part of our relationship. As well as Joy of movement and playfulness. It is so till today. 16 years later.
I remember myself starting to believe in her and she dared to move more and reach further. Discovering the world around her through movement with a growing self confidence in her abilities. Through rolling she came to sit and with the help of Child’Space began to crawl, she would crawl to my friends or their babies and initiate a "conversation". I could see how her repertoire of movements enables her to develop social-emotional and cognitive skills.
I was proud of her. My self image as a mother improved. The world was wide open and available for her. This is what I wanted to give her as a good starting point for life.
My story is not about a baby with special needs. It is about a “typical” baby and parent. We never know how challenges in the family system or small delays will influence development, or the way the baby is perceived by his.er parents.
What we do know is that attentive, professional early intervention, that considers all aspects; sensorimotor, cognitive and social-emotional, and sees the baby as part of a family system, can prevent future difficulties.
In my practice I work with children with typical development and special needs as well. Individually and in groups. in training programs and supervisions, I meet many students saying this method changed their lives. I can definitely see why.
