Unless you've played a musical instrument you may not realize the level of coordination and postural control required by great musicians. We have had the pleasure of working with many budding musicians at Kinetic Konnections and thought that sharing their experiences might help you regard musical skills in a different light.
Parents travel from all destinations to visit Kinetic Konnections and their purposes all vary. Peter C. (Denver) and Cindy S. (Chicago Suburban-N) noted that their sons' postures and techniques for their specific musical instruments have improved since the Kinetic Konnections sessions.
Peter, a professional musician and college music teacher, has a 9-year-old son who is learning to play piano. Peter's son, who is also autistic, has been attending occupational therapy over the years. Although Peter acknowledges that there is improvement with these treatments, he has been especially impressed with the work performed at Kinetic Konnections. Peter and his family began coming to Kinetic Konnections about two years ago, when Peter's sister, who lives in Chicago area, suggested a visit the Park Ridge studio.
"In the medical field, it seems like people just want to deal with the symptoms. I believe Cara (Lindell) deals with the cause, not the symptom," Peter said. For example, Peter's son has now improved core strength and muscle work critical to skill building, he said. As a result, his son has strengthened muscle groups that help him maintain the correct posture while playing the piano. He also is able to maintain his hand placement, keeping his arms elevated, and his technical skill continues to improve, Peter describes.
"The playing is definitely getting better, and I have to believe the finger strength and coordination skills are working well for him" Peter said of the Kinetic Konnections' work with his son's hands. "Cara really breaks it down and researches (the specificity of each) individual skill she is working with."
Cindy's 11-year-old son also plays the piano, along with the cello and the baritone horn. She came to Kinetic Konnections' a year ago with a concern about her son's posture and the effect it would have on his music and other daily activities.
"My son has a very good ear and excellent understanding of music theory," Cindy describes. "The problem he faces is his performance and the execution of the work. If you can't maintain posture, you can't get the sound you need. You can't get the breath, the correct tone."
Or with piano, she worries that without proper posture, hand placement may be incorrect. Likewise, if you don't sit up properly with the cello, you are unable to place fingers in the correct position, Cindy said. Her son has abnormally low muscle tone which affects body movement, ranging from walking to sitting. Currently, her son consciously has to think about his core stability to maintain correct posture in any position, often with verbal cueing. She hopes the movement becomes more "autopilot" rather than having to rely on verbal cueing for proper posture and other motor movement.
Since visiting Kinectic Konnections, her son's posture has improved
and core muscles have strengthened. However, Cindy acknowledges that he
needs to be able to maintain correct posture for a longer period of time
and the work is an ongoing process.
As you plan your children's activities for the summer and fall, consider
the physical side of instrumental music. It is another way to help them
develop the coordination and posture needed for success in so many
other facets of their lives.
By Darcy Nee
Not only are children becoming obsessed with the Nintendo Wii and its plethora of video games, including the Wii Fit program, but also their parents, the medical field and older adults.
Cara Lindell, Kinetic Konnections' founder, purchased the Nintendo Wii and the Wii Fit program for her two sons last fall. She observed her boys, ages 12 and 17, enjoy the interactive video games, and decided to dive in. An avid exerciser, Cara has been challenged to find quality exercise time as winter set in. She thought, perhaps, the Wii Fit program would help her resolve this issue.
It didn't turn out exactly as she had thought, for a few reasons.
Cara used the Wii Fit program several times It wasn't a fit for her for several reasons—time, efficiency and intensity. She allowed 30 minutes of workout time in the morning and discovered that when using the Wii Fit she was only able to accomplish about 15 minutes of moderate intensity workout. The stop and start nature of the short Wii workout segments did not allow Cara to maintain the level of intensity she needed, which was frustrating.
However, Cara did learn that her balance and eye-hand coordination needed improvement. For instance, she had a hard time following the television screen while performing a new movement, as well as following some of the balance skill modules. "I can see if I had more time set aside for exercising I could practice the balance games more to develop that particular skill," Cara said.
Some of the applications included a mix of cardio, strength and balance. "For me, the visual and motor skills offered by the Wii would be a good tool to help me. Overall, I found it doesn't offer the challenge in progressions I need."
Cara said, "The workout included lunges and squats. These are essential exercises for a person who is just starting an exercise routine for the first time. A beginner will find the different exercises beneficial."
Ruth Helgemo, a Kinetic Konnections' parent, said despite her positive intentions, she used the Wii Fit program one time and "one time only. I did find that for me, a complete couch potato, it was a pretty good workout," she said, adding her muscles were sore for several days. "It was a fun way to get me off the couch; if and when I get motivated to get moving, most likely I would use it."
Ruth enjoyed the challenge of the balance work and would like to try the yoga application, which she hears others rave about. However, she said she would not rely on the program as a specific measurement tool for weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) but as a general marker. "It would be a good non-specific way to watch a trend," she said.
Job Training Related Benefits
Others are using the Wii for unique applications. The medical field is incorporating the Wii into their exercise toolbox for surgeons. Playing computer games such as the Nintendo Wii can improve a surgeon's performance in the operating room, according to a U.S. study reported by a 2008 BBC News article. According to the report, eight trainee surgeons were asked to spend an hour playing the games on a console before performing "virtual reality" surgery on a computer system. "Game players scored nearly 50 percent higher on tool control and overall performance than other trainees," reported the article. The trainee surgeons are from Banner Good Samaritan Medical Centre. As a result, new Wii software is being developed to accurately simulate surgical procedures, reported the article.
Stroke Recovery Benefits
In addition to serving as a "warm-up" for surgeons, the Wii consoles also play a role in various hospitals in the United States and Canada. The consoles help patients recover from strokes and other serious conditions, according to a 2007 article on Softpedia.com. The goal is to help patients build balance, coordination, endurance and upper and lower body strength.
The Wii is also being introduced in various retirement homes across the country, according to a 2007 article on seniorfriendlylibraries.blogspot.com. In fact, players from Erickson Retirement Communities throughout the nation participated in a bowling championship via the Wii, said the article. The Wii enables the group to get some more activity and get them interested in video games.
By Darcy Nee
As we have seen at Kinetic Konnections®, a well-functioning body
contributes to a well-functioning mind. When the body is able to
function efficiently, without compensation, it allows for more energy –
physical or cognitive – to do other activities, whether that is in a
specific sport, to concentrate, or to write more efficiently.
The Wii Fit program with its 40 different activities helps the body
practice using a wide variety of muscles appropriately, in turn lending
for an enriched, mindful experience. We observed that some of these
activities can help improve balance, coordination, offer cross-training
and build skills that could benefit a child in the classroom.
Balance and Coordination to Build Self- Esteem
Several of the Wii Fit games challenge a child's balance and
coordination. A child who doesn't achieve high levels can still
experiences success and play the games. Furthermore, a child who
experiences difficulty with a sport can learn specific skills for that
game without the pressure of a team environment. The games also are
great for practicing eye-hand coordination. As a result, the child's
self-esteem is boosted as he or she feels a sense of accomplishment.
Cross Training to Round Out Development
Today's children tend to specialize in one sport or activity at earlier
ages. However, we already know children develop well balanced
neuromuscular function through participation in different activities.
As such they should be exposed to a plethora of activities but time and
cost often are barriers to that variety. We find the Wii Fit programs
offer children the chance to rehearse and have fun with a wide variety
of activities, from step aerobics to hula-hoops, yoga, to push ups, to
lunges. The cross training helps prevent injuries too.
Building Classroom Skills
As children move through the various Wii Fit games, they must earn their
way to new levels, helping them learn about motivation and rewards. The
kids also have accountability through their fitness log. Each day the
program measures a user's weight and center of gravity using the balance
board. Based on the player's weight, the software calculates the user's
body mass index (BMI). The program keeps a record of each day's
activities creating accountability and helping build habits while having
fun!
Cautions
Overall we believe the Wii Fit offers a positive adjunct to education
for today's youth. However, there are a few cautions to be mindful of
regarding use of the Wii Fit. These may change in future versions, but
for now we found: