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From Head to Toe: Sleep & Development with Deirdre Edwards
How Can We Help Our Children Acquire Independence?
Season 2, Ep. 3
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WHAT IS NORMAL? Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about the normal range of development for babies and young children in this second series of FROM HEAD TO TOE: SLEEP AND DEVELOPMENT. For over 50 years Deirdre Edwards has worked in paediatrics as a nurse, health visitor and McTimoney chiropractor. She founded the Abacus Chiropractic Clinic in Stratford-upon-Avon. Deirdre speaks to Mark using stories from her clinic. Listen out for her Top Tips at the end of each episode.
In this episode Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about how we can help children learn independence especially in readiness for nursery and school. She discusses techniques for basic handling, dressing, changing, getting into car seats, sitting on highchairs ensuring feet are resting on something, crawling, nursery rhymes and games. These all encourage the natural progression from primitive reflexes to a learned function in normal childhood development. She explains what ‘parachute flight’ is and why parents should be concerned about the potential long-term impact of retained infantile reflexes. She advocates that parents should seek clinical advice to check the cranial nerves, particularly the vagus nerve.
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8. Excessive Screen Time
17:08||Season 2, Ep. 8WHAT IS NORMAL? Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about the normal range of development for babies and young children in this second series of FROM HEAD TO TOE: SLEEP AND DEVELOPMENT. For over 50 years Deirdre Edwards has worked in paediatrics as a nurse, health visitor and McTimoney chiropractor. She founded the Abacus Chiropractic Clinic in Stratford-upon-Avon. Deirdre speaks to Mark using stories from her clinic. Listen out for her Top Tips at the end of each episode.Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch in this final episode about what she considers to be excessive screen time for children. What is the impact on their physical and mental health, social development, and academic performance? She argues that by understanding the potential negative impacts of excessive screen time and promoting a balanced approach parents can help children navigate the digital world in a healthy and constructive way. She examines the effect of looking at a phone on posture and its impact on the five senses.7. Dealing with Loss
28:28||Season 2, Ep. 7WHAT IS NORMAL? Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about the normal range of development for babies and young children in this second series of FROM HEAD TO TOE: SLEEP AND DEVELOPMENT. For over 50 years Deirdre Edwards has worked in paediatrics as a nurse, health visitor and McTimoney chiropractor. She founded the Abacus Chiropractic Clinic in Stratford-upon-Avon. Deirdre speaks to Mark using stories from her clinic. Listen out for her Top Tips at the end of each episode.Loss includes divorce, separation, trauma, bereavement, moving house and the impact of the Covid epidemic on children. Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about how big changes impact a youngster in unpredictable and unprecedented ways. This can manifest itself in sadness, shyness, unprovoked temper tantrums, silliness, wakefulness, self-harm and food refusal. She discusses ways to rebalance a child who presents with ‘out of character behaviours’; the importance of communication and the impact of trauma on the cranial nerve and when to seek counselling.6. Boundaries, Safety, Discipline & Manners
27:22||Season 2, Ep. 6WHAT IS NORMAL? Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about the normal range of development for babies and young children in this second series of FROM HEAD TO TOE: SLEEP AND DEVELOPMENT. For over 50 years Deirdre Edwards has worked in paediatrics as a nurse, health visitor and McTimoney chiropractor. She founded the Abacus Chiropractic Clinic in Stratford-upon-Avon. Deirdre speaks to Mark using stories from her clinic. Listen out for her Top Tips at the end of each episode.Having addressed routines around food in episode 1 and bedtimes in episode 5 Deirdre Edwards discusses acceptable boundaries with Mark Pougatch. Children are sponges and will copy both positive and negative behaviour of those around them. Respect, tolerance and sharing with others start in the sandpit. Deirdre shares her advice about how to keep children safe; ways to manage the wider world; the benefits of repetition; the importance of consistency and feral times. She talks about the ‘grumpy bone’ and when parents should seek chiropractic help if a child is out of sorts.5. Sleep & Bedtime Routines
22:07||Season 2, Ep. 5WHAT IS NORMAL? Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about the normal range of development for babies and young children in this second series of FROM HEAD TO TOE: SLEEP AND DEVELOPMENT. For over 50 years Deirdre Edwards has worked in paediatrics as a nurse, health visitor and McTimoney chiropractor. She founded the Abacus Chiropractic Clinic in Stratford-upon-Avon. Deirdre speaks to Mark using stories from her clinic. Listen out for her Top Tips at the end of each episode.How much sleep do babies and young children need? Following on from episode 4 Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about sleep hygiene and how to establish a good night-time routine. This episode covers night terrors, bed wetting and how toilet training can interrupt sleep. She discusses the impact of bad sleep emphasising how sleep is essential for growth and development.4. Potty and Toilet Training
25:13||Season 2, Ep. 4WHAT IS NORMAL? Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about the normal range of development for babies and young children in this second series of FROM HEAD TO TOE: SLEEP AND DEVELOPMENT. For over 50 years Deirdre Edwards has worked in paediatrics as a nurse, health visitor and McTimoney chiropractor. She founded the Abacus Chiropractic Clinic in Stratford-upon-Avon. Deirdre speaks to Mark using stories from her clinic. Listen out for her Top Tips at the end of each episode.In this episode Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about how to toilet train successfully. She discusses the importance of establishing a routine; how to cope with the impact of starting nursery or school as well as what to do about bed wetting and when to seek clinical help.2. How Can We Help Children with Their Movement?
27:48||Season 2, Ep. 2WHAT IS NORMAL? Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about the normal range of development for babies and young children in this second series of FROM HEAD TO TOE: SLEEP AND DEVELOPMENT. For over 50 years Deirdre Edwards has worked in paediatrics as a nurse, health visitor and McTimoney chiropractor. She founded the Abacus Chiropractic Clinic in Stratford-upon-Avon. Deirdre speaks to Mark using stories from her clinic. Listen out for her Top Tips at the end of each episode.Is clumsiness a problem? In this episode Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about how the primitive reflexes impact gross and fine motor skills. She discusses communication, fidgeting, dyspraxia, and children who are unable to sit still. She advocates signing and ‘Tiny Talk’ to aid communication.1. How Do We Help Children Have a Healthy Relationship with Food?
24:50||Season 2, Ep. 1WHAT IS NORMAL? Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about the normal range of development for babies and young children in this second series of FROM HEAD TO TOE:SLEEP AND DEVELOPMENT. For over 50 years Deirdre Edwards has worked in paediatrics as a nurse, health visitor and McTimoney chiropractor. She founded the Abacus Chiropractic Clinic in Stratford-upon-Avon. Deirdre speaks to Mark using stories from her clinic. Listen out for her Top Tips at the end of each episode.Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about how we can avoid mealtimes becoming a battleground. Can children thrive on simple, albeit repetitive, food? When food and swallowing become an issue at what point should we seek medical advice? She discusses the important of the cranial nerves and primary reflexes.6. Young Children 3 to 4 years – Becoming independent
30:23||Season 1, Ep. 6The focus of episode 6 is what should be happening developmentally for children aged 3 to 4. Deirdre Edwards talks to Mark Pougatch about gross motor and fine motor skills, concentration, communication through sign and verbal language, and social skills. She is passionate about the cranial nerves and advocates for regular chiropractic and health care checks – ideally four times a year but at the very least annually – to ensure spinal and skeletal growth is in line with development. She re-emphasises the importance of sleep. Her message to parents, health care and educational providers is to listen to the child. Parents are the voice for their children.