Saturday 16 January 2010

Kids massage (clothed, peer massage) at your school or child care centre.


Do you work in a child care setting, a primary school or run a vacation care program for kids aged 4 to 12 years? Did you know there is a fantastic program called the Massage in Schools program that Idibidi Kids is qualified to implement at your centre or school in the Perth metropolitan area?


The Massage in Schools program, or MISP as it is known, is a fun interactive and educational program that children aged between 4 years and 12 years can participate in. This program is beneficial in so many ways. Kids find that the program helps to calm them down, is relaxing, feels good and a time when they can rest their body. Teachers and staff have noticed that the kids become more focussed and motivated to do their work; other positive outcomes included greater empathy amongst the children, respect and a better understanding of each others feelings.

Teaching kids massage is a way to help them relax and reduce stress. This is important, as young children do feel the effects of stress.

Five reasons why kids experience stress:

1. Trauma
2. Bullying
3. Loss of a pet/family member/friend
4. An unexpected event
5. Moving to a new school

The MISP includes a set of 15 massage strokes. Each stroke has a fun name associated with it, such as 'baker', 'butterflies' and 'eye glasses'. When the program is implemented in your school or centre, you will receive 15 cartoon drawings associated with each stroke, to help remind the children the order of the strokes. The drawings and stroke names encourage the children to use their imagination, something that kids are very much good at!

It is important to note that this is a PEER, CLOTHED MASSAGE PROGRAM, and that kids massage each other. Idibidi Kids instructor, Natalie, is qualified to implement the program.

Idibidi Kids can implement the program two ways:

1. As a 1 hour workshop - usually includes the Weather Massage and an introduction to the MISP 15 strokes. Other positive touch games may be included.
2. As a 4 session program, best suited for primary schools, as an incursion.

Contact Idibidi Kids at www.idibidikids.com.au to book the MISP program at your school or centre today (including school holidays).

Books Ive Read...

  • Frederick Leboyer: Loving Hands, The Traditional Art of Baby Massage
  • Kerstin Uvnas Moberg: The Oxytocin Factor
  • Tiffany Field: Touch
  • Vimala McClure: Infant Massage, A Handbook for Loving Parents