The Child’Space Method

 

The Child’Space Method, developed by Dr Chava Shelhav, enriches a child’s learning during the crucial period of development from birth to independent walking.  It is an interactive, learning approach utilising touch, movement and sensory engagement whilst respecting the child’s space, as well as a child’s pace and temperament.

 

Although development during this crucial period may seem to happen of its own accord, parents and caregivers contribute in many ways of which they may be unaware.  Most early stimulation happens through touch, movement, handling and face-to-face communication. These interactions can contribute to a child’s sensori-motor abilities, regulation of mood, appetite, elimination and their sense of curiosity, concentration, joy, pleasure and general vitality.

 

The Child’Space Method® teaches parents how to use routine activities and play to stimulate development of motor, sensory, cognitive, emotional and social abilities. It also improves parent-baby co-regulation and attunement, leading to more optimal attachment.

 

Parents and caregivers learn to observe their child and how to use touch, voice, song, rhythm and movement to support their child’s development.  Parents can understand and appreciate their child’s unique learning strategies, which enables a more collaborative and supportive partnership from birth to beyond.

 

"Because touch, more than any other sense, has such ready access to young babies' brains, it offers perhaps the best possible opportunity, and one of the easiest, for molding their emotional and mental well-being."    Lise Eliot, Ph.D, Research Scientist and Author

 

How does it work?

Child’Space Method® practitioners create a personalized and holistic learning environment for the child. The practitioner builds on what the child already knows, awakening and reinforcing these movements and functions whilst guiding him/her to use them spontaneously, creatively and variably. Eventually the practitioner finds a way to bridge this known and confident experience into less familiar, unknown domains. It is a playful, sensitive and respectful ‘dance’ between teacher and learner, which gives rise to opportunities to develop new competencies and skills.

 

Sessions often lead to immediate improvements in sensori-motor abilities, which in turn influences a child’s perception of himself relative to the world around him. When a child can be curious, confident and positively engaged in learning, later challenges such as jumping, climbing, writing, reading and playing with a ball (which have great socio-emotional significance) become easier.

 

The strategy of focusing on learning and providing functional opportunities makes the Child’Space Method® applicable to all babies and children – ranging from assisting with typical development through to special needs.

 

Watch this 2 minute video explaining the Child'Space Chava Shelhav Method