The Child’Space Method developed by Dr Chava Shelhav (an original student of Moshe Feldenkrais), applies the principles of the Feldenkrais Method to working with babies and infants. It recognises that babies develop at their own pace and need space to grow into their own. In these sessions the practitioner uses touch, movement and sensory engagement to enrich a babies learning from birth until independent walking and beyond. Movement experiences are fundamental to the development of us human beings and to our ability to learn many skills. Child’Space lessons support a baby’s growing sense of herself and her ability to learn and interact with her environment. 

Group sessions

I teach small groups for parents/caregivers and their babies where parents learn to observe their baby’s development more closely. Communicating through touch and movement, play, rhythm and songs, parents actively support and enhance their baby’s sensory-motor, speech, cognitive, emotional and social abilities. This in turn fosters the parent-baby relationship, secure bonding and optimal attachment.

Through Child’Space lessons parents will:

• Gain a clearer understanding of early infant development 
• Learn hands-on skills to increase body awareness and regulate muscle tone in their baby
• Foster their baby’s ability to self-soothe (regulate)
• Help their baby to enjoy tummy time
• Help to improve their baby’s quality of movement in rolling, sitting, crawling, standing and walking 
• Find new ways to play and connect with their baby

Individual sessions

In my private practice I also work individually with babies who experience developmental delays, have special needs or experience neurological challenges. We will focus on what the baby is able to do and is comfortable with before determining what the missing elements are. In a playful way, communicating through movement and touch, I will then guide the baby to new steps and solutions. As a baby’s ability to learn and absorb new information is exceptional at this young age, changes are often seen quickly and are usually long lasting. Addressing challenges early on often prevents later difficulties from developing.

I very much work in partnership with the parents so that they will be able to support their baby’s learning at home.

Child’Space lessons can benefit babies with:

• Developmental delays
• Sensory Processing issues
• Autism Spectrum Disorder 
• Cerebral Palsy and Hemiplegia
• Brain damage

When working with older children I also draw on my experience as a Kindergarten teacher and Feldenkrais practitioner. Besides using movement and touch, I incorporate a variety of props like balls, ropes, hollahoops, cloths, streamers etc. to support activities like throwing, catching, jumping, balancing and so forth. Engaging in these ‘games’ children will practice their coordination, flexibility, balance and orientation in space - all important factors in well organised movement. Many of these motor functions lay the foundation for later learning such as reading, writing and arithmetic. Feeling at home in our bodies and comfortable in ourselves is fundamental to our ability to focus on a task, engage in a new learning situation or interact with the world. 

Each child is unique and will employ different learning strategies and it is therefore important to acknowledge individual abilities and strengths as well as supporting underdeveloped or missing components. I aim to create a safe and stimulating learning environment where children are able to explore their abilities and difficulties and find creative and constructive solutions.

Feldenkrais lessons can benefit children with:

• Global learning difficulties
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ADHD

Feldenkrais lessons help children to:

• Feel more comfortable in themselves
• Improve their movement skills
• Self regulate more easily and effectively
• Improve their concentration and their ability to focus on a task
• Feel more confident and independent
• Express their creativity