Introduction:

Ineverycellinthehumanbodythereisanucleus,wheregeneticmaterialisstoredingenes.
Genescarrythecodesresponsibleforallofourinheritedtraitsandaregroupedalongrodlike
structurescalledchromosomes.Typically,thenucleusofeachcellcontains23pairsof
chromosomes,halfofwhichareinheritedfromeachparent.Incertaincasesanindividualcan
receivefullorpartialextracopyofchromosome21.Thisadditionalgeneticmaterialaltersthe
courseofdevelopmentandcausesthecharacteristicsassociatedwithDownsyndrome.
PhysicalCharacteristics:
Lowmuscletone
Smallstature
Anupwardslanttotheeyes
Singledeepcreaseacrossthecenterofthepalm

PlayandMovementEducation

Walking
Childrenwithdownsyndromeoftenexhibitawiderthannormalbaseofsupportinwalkingand
experiencesomefootangleproblemsespeciallyintoeing.
Oftenwillcausechildrentofallortripontheirownfeet.

BestExercises:
GeneralMovementactivitiesthatfocusonawarenessofthebodypartsinvolved(head,trunk,
knees,feetandarms)aswellasoverallstrengthcontrolofbalancecanhelpimprovegait.

Shoes:Choosinganappropriateshoecanprovidethechildwithgoodsupporttoprevent
inversion.

Anotherapproachtouseishavingthechildwalkonhisheels,ortoeswithoutshoes.This
teachesthechildtokeephisfeetstraight,andtocreateapatternforwalkinginsteadofslepping
thefloorwiththeirfoot.

Waystoimplementmovingintoothersubjects:

MovementwithMath:
Hopstotch
MakingShapeswiththeirbodies.

MovementwithArt&Colors:

ColorsandShapes**
1. RedmeansFiery,fast,andflashy
2. BluemeansCool,Quiet,andsoothing
3. Circlesmeancontinuousmovement

Music&Dancing:
TheseChildrenlovetodance,andthisisagreatwayforthemtoexpressthemselves.

Dances:
Canbefolkdances,creative,orexploratory.Andcanuseequipmentlikehulahoops,balls,or
evenjumpropes.

SingingGames:HokeyPokey

FreeExpression:Upbeatmusic,funstuffthekidswilllikeandgetinto.

MovementEducationforAdults:
Designmovementeducationprogrammesforadolescentsandadultssothattheyprovidenot
onlysystematicstructurebutalsofunandsocialparticipation.

CreativeDances.
Organizedsportsandgames:
Justlikeyoudotheteachsforclassthestructureisthesame
WarmUp,skilldevelopment,andleadupgame,cooldownactivity.

Provisionofopportunitiesforsocialinteractionandthegrowthofselfconfidenceisindeedan
essentialcomponentofamovementeducationprogram.

Previousexperiencescanfosterboththedevelopmentofapositiveselfimage,andthe
developmentoftheabilitytoformrelationships.Alsoprovideopportunitiestodisplayleadership
amongsttheirpeers.

Creatinglearningenvironmentsforadolescentsandadultsthroughmovementexperiencein
hopesofthemgrowingintoaPhysicallyandSociallyCompetentAdult.

Video:JusttheWayYouAre