"Recent studies show that the absence of touching, cuddling, and movement for a baby can lead to learning and behavior disorders. In a study of 49 cultures, there was shown to be a direct correlation between the lack of physical affection, especially touching and movement during infancy and childhood, and the amount of adult crimes. The National Institute of Child Health says that early deprivation of touching, contact, and movement results in abnormal social and emotional behaviors later in life. These abnormalities included hyperactivity and depression.
The role of movements such as rocking in a cradle, touching things, crawling, walking upright, running, swinging arms, skipping, and other activities help the brain to develop coordination and balance. Since learning is a sensory process that must be reinforced by proper motor functioning of the brain, its important for babies and children to learn how to move. Movement stimulates the brain cells and helps regulate other brain functions that control physical, mental, psychological and social development. Not enough movement can cause poor sensory integration, which may cause difficulties in learning to read, write, and doarithmetic. Touching and movement in infancy and childhood is important to help the brain develop normally.
If a child did not get enough touching and movement, it is not too late to help him or her develop the areas of the brain that were adversely affected. One therapy is called sensory integration therapy, which involves increased stimulation in six sensory and motor areas: visual, auditory, touching, mobility, languages, and manual skills. Another therapy is writing. One researcher has developed a program to help children integrate their brains by writing in certain ways to music."
