Mind Moves® brings hope for children with Downs Syndrome
Ilda van der Merwe
Tinka was my friend. My 11-old mind knew she was different than
other children, but that did not stop us from playing whenever
she visited her grandparents. Tinka’s speech was unclear and she
got hurt very easily. Her eyes were like small slits but it was as
though she looked right into my soul and being different didn’t
matter anymore.
By the time I completed High School, Tinka still came to visit. She
remained an innocent little girl, but to her I became a grownup.
She called me “Auntie”. Even today, thinking of her warms my
heart....
There are lots of other girls and boys like Tinka. They are commonly referred to in Afrikaans as
“hemelkinders” – children from Heaven. Downs Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects
approximately 1 out of every 830 children (Health24). The extra copy of the 21st chromosome causes
a problem with protein production and leads to a variety of birth defects. Some children undergo
changes in their physical appearance, while others may experience delayed development, health or
behavioural problems
Tinka didn’t always have it easy. She looked different than the other kids and clumsiness frequently
prevented other children from playing with her. I know today that it is possible to develop all the
muscles in one’s face and body to work together effectively and I would love to help her gain a greater
awareness of her whole body. That way we also develop the skin which helps us to be calm and feel
safe.
Tinka battled to speak clearly or eat neatly. Her shirt was always wet from constant dribbling, her
tongue seemed very big and too heavy for her mouth and her jaw was lowered and her mouth open
all the time. It was as though her brain was unaware of her mouth and lips. Lip-ice on and around the
mouth would have helped a great deal in creating awareness of her lips and mouth. Games where one
has to lick, blow or suck does wonders to exercise the tongue and lips to be able to close the mouth,
eat neatly and talk clearly.
Sometimes my mouth is
open and my tongue heavy
My fingers may battle to
cut or write
Labels in my clothes may be
painfull
Sometimes I battle with
buttons and clasps
©Mind Moves Institute, Johannesburg. 2014
I may sit with legs in the
w-position to help me stay
upright
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Tinka really battles with germs and viruses – especially her heart and lungs. She felt sick and tired all
the time and her mom struggled to get her to eat. Even as a baby she swallowed a lot of wind and
choked very easily. It was as though her feeding rhythm was off. There is a natural feeding rhythm for
babies: suck, swallow then breathe. Sucking also has another advantage. When we suck, we press the
“button” on our palate to help us relax and feel good, so it is no wonder that we enjoy chocolate so
much. When we feel good our immune system is boosted.
Tinka had cute, small hands with short fingers. Her fingers battled when she tried to get dressed or do
up the buttons of her shirt. Her mouth pulled and stretched as though it was connected to her hands
with an invisible piece of string. She usually stuck her tongue out when cutting, threading or doing
anything using her hands. Our mouths help our hands with fine motor control, therefore the mouth
has to develop completely before the fingers can. Crawling and creeping games, as well as play dough,
are excellent ways to strengthen fingers and develop hands.
Plasters were always at hand when we played as Tinka easily got bruised or scratched against the rough
brick wall and she would accidentally bump her head against the windowsill. She battled to stay upright
and supported her body with her hands. When she sat she would open her legs extremely wide, or
sometimes sat with her legs in the w-position. I thought she ought to be a gymnast for being able to
do so but, it is only now that I realise that she had low muscle tone and that the w-position helped her
to balance.
Thank you, dear Tinka, for teaching me to look deeper than the surface;
for showing me that “different” does mean” less”; for touching my hand
and my heart. You are precious to me!
Mind Moves for Tinka
Mind Moves are simple exercises to boost children’s development (physically, emotionally and
intellectually). It mimics the primitive, reflexive movements of a developing baby that wires the brain
and body. This wiring ensures more effective learning (De Jager M, 2009).
1. Touch
Tinka never enjoyed being touched. She frequently turned her back when someone wanted to hug
her. Touch is actually the first step in brain development (De Jager M, 2011). It is through touch that
the brain’s first body map is built. It stimulates the proprioceptors of the skin, muscles and joints.
Touch is the most important sense to develop:
No one can survive without a fully developed sense of touch.
Melodie de Jager
The Mind Moves Massage helps to relax the skin and to develop a map of the
whole body. Let the child stand in front of you with arms stretched out at an angle
of 90°. Firmly trace the outline of his body from head to toe. Hold onto the feet for
a few seconds before repeating for a second and third time.
©Mind Moves Institute, Johannesburg. 2014
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2. Immunity
Germs and viruses made staying healthy very difficult for Tinka. She was tired and sick
all the time. The Mind Moves Confidence Booster helps us to calm the body, heart and
mind. It also boosts the immune system and enhances rhythm. Cross the feet and arms
in a hugging fashion. Rest the tongue on the highest part of the palate. This activates the
emotional brain. Breathe slowly.
3. Heart and mouth
Tinka easily choked on food or drink and sometimes refused to eat because of stomach ache. The basic
feeding rhythm of suck, swallow, breathe must be mastered before one can talk, read or write (De
Jager M, 2011). Any disruption of this rhythm causes difficulty in feeding and learning to talk.
The Mind Moves Power On enhances the link between the heart and lungs and helps relax
the eyes, mouth and digestive system. Use your right hand and rub the indentation just
below the left collar bone in line with the left eye. This move relieves butterflies-in-thetummy and helps to read and talk with greater ease.
To do the Mind Moves Lip Massage, one must simultaneously rub above the top lip
and below the bottom lip in opposite direction. This move promotes perception skills
and creates greater awareness of the mouth and lips. It also helps prevent the mouth
from hanging open.
4. Balance and Hearing
As with many other children, Tinka battled to stay upright and frequently needed support or sat with
her legs in the w-position. The inside senses (our sense of balance) help us to experience all the other
senses but also to move in space (De Jager M, 2011). Well-developed inside senses helps one feel safe
and secure.
Hearing can only develop fully once the skin, balance, smell and taste have developed sufficiently. The
development of hearing and speech go hand in hand, as one can only say what the ears have heard.
(De Jager M, 2011). The development of hearing also impacts the vestibular system, muscle control,
head stability and core muscles. Head stability and core muscles are needed in order to determine the
origin and direction of sound, thereby helping one to be safe and escape danger (De Jager M, 2011).
Hearing also helps develop a sense of rhythm and timing as well as orientating oneself in space (De
Jager M, 2011).
The ear works 24/7, and it is difficult for the ears to rest
Melodie de Jager
The Mind Moves Antenna Adjuster develops both hearing and balance. Massage
both ear lobes simultaneously from top to bottom using circular movements.
Repeat three times.
©Mind Moves Institute, Johannesburg. 2014
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5. Fine motor control
Tinka’s short, little fingers battled to pick up sweets or eat neatly with a spoon. It was a struggle to do
up her buttons or hold a pencil. When the pincer grip (thumb and forefinger) is mastered, it means
that the thumb can start to work independently from the other four fingers. This is excellent news as
it means that the brain is ready to learn to talk. Crawling develops all the small muscles of the hand –
a requirement for painting, drawing or cutting. Well-developed fine motor muscles help us become
independent (De Jager M, 2011).
The Mind Moves Finger Fight helps all the muscles of the fingers to develop and work
together. Press the forefinger against the thumb maintaining pressure for 8 seconds,
then let go. Repeat for all the other fingers
References:
De Jager, M. 2009. Mind Moves – moves that mend the mind. Johannesburg: Mind Moves Institute
De Jager, M. 2011. brain development, MILESTONES and learning. Johannesburg: Baby Gym Institute
Health24. 2013. Down’s Syndrome. Available online at: http://www.healthplus24.com/kidshealth/downs-syndrome.aspx Downloaded on 12 March 2014
Uyanik M, Kayihan H. 2010. Down Syndrome: Sensory Integration, Vestibular Stimulation and
Neurodevelopmental Therapy Approaches for Children. In: JH Stone, M Blouin, editors. International
Encyclopaedia of Rehabilitation. Available online at: http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/encyclopedia/en/article/48/ Downloaded on 12 March 2014
©Mind Moves Institute, Johannesburg. 2014
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