Author: Patricia Lopes | Sep 09, 2015
On the first day of Sethu’s Mother-Toddler Program called Asha, 3 year old Jane sat without any difficulty for Circle time where she participated in singing nursery rhymes and action songs. However, when it came to Exercise Time, she refused to get on the trampoline, therapy ball, rocking horse, and even refused to be swung on a bed sheet (an activity all other children absolutely love). Mum was getting visibly upset about Jane’s non-cooperation as the Asha sessions went on. Mum was advised by the therapists not to push Jane to join the group just yet, but rather to let her watch the other children enjoy the exercise activities. Mum was sceptical about this strategy and questioned why she was not being forced to participate.
The therapists tried to explain Jane’s situation to her mum by using a real-life situation that most people would be able to relate to. Mum was asked to imagine that she was afraid of the sea. She was further asked to imagine what it would feel like to be forcibly taken into the water to swim. How would she react? Mum replied that it would be a very scary experience. Mum was then asked whether things would be better if she was allowed to first watch her friends and family swimming, and then at her own pace, put her feet in the water, splash and pour the water with her hands and enjoy being at the beach, she may gradually overcome her fear of the sea. In the future she would be ready to sit in the water, get her body and head wet and finally even swim with pleasure. She agreed.
The therapists said that similarly, Jane should be allowed to watch the others jump, roll, rock and swing. Slowly she would be encouraged to first stand on the trampoline or sit on the rocking horse without moving it. Gradually when she became comfortable and willing, she would be willing to participate in other activities at her pace. Mum accepted and followed the advice given. As predicted, Jane got over her fear. In a few weeks time, she began to thoroughly enjoy “Exercise Time”, jumping and swinging with her peers. Now the difficulty was in getting her off the rocking horse! Witnessing her joy and comfort made her mum very happy and proud