From the recording Wiggle Jiggle Fitness Fun
10. R & R STAR (Reflex Integration)
Rhythmic Movements in this song are from the work of Dr. Harald Blomberg, Rhythmic Movement Training Manuals, Levels One, Two and Three.
Harald Blomberg M.D, is a specialist in psychiatry, having more than twenty years’ experience helping children and adults with problems that include motor problems, attention deficit problems, learning disability and autism. Harald Blomberg teaches Rhythmic Movement Training and Reflex Integration in Sweden and all over the world. To learn more about Blomberg’s work, we recommend you visit www.blombergrmt.com.
Benefits: Rhythmic movements mimic the developmental movements that babies and infants naturally and automatically make as they grow. The main sensory stimulation for the process of brain maturation comes from the vestibular, tactile, and proprioceptive senses. These three senses are fully engaged while doing rhythmic movements.
Dr. Blomberg explains that the Rhythmic Movements not only help integrate reflexes, they activate critical links between the cerebellum, limbic system, and prefrontal cortex. This “whole-brain linking” creates optimal functioning. For many reasons, children may not get enough opportunities to do these rhythmic movements in infancy. It is our hope that this song is a fun way to assist with integration of these basic reflexes.
NOTE: We recommend that you have children practice the windshield wiper movement with feet before playing the song. Ensure children are positioned a safe distance from each other when they “burst out like a star.” For children who have a hard time rolling their hips from side to side, put a hand on their waist and gently rock them side to side, so they can feel the movement.
Lyrics
R & R STAR
(Music: Ron Hiller/RONNO * Lyrics: Liz Jones-Twomey, Ron Hiller/RONNO
– © 2013 Song Support/SOCAN)
Now, let’s rest and relax
Hey,” rest and relax”! That’s an “R and R”!
You’re right! Join us – be an R & R Star!
VERSE 1 (Windshield Wipers):
Sit on the floor, legs straight out in front
And move those legs a little apart from each other
Point your toes straight up to the sky
Now, roll your feet out to the side
Like windshield wipers
Roll your feet back in, big toes touching
Keep your legs straight
Roll your feet out
Bring them back in, touching big toes
Roll them out
Roll them in
Roll them out
And roll them in
Out, and in
Good
Now, lie down on your back
And bend your knees to your chest
Tuck in your chin
And look at your knees
Squeeze everything tightly
And burst out like a star!
Take a deep breath in
Curl in and breathe out
Bring knees to your chest
Squeeze tight
And burst out like a star
Take a breath in
Curl in and breathe out
Squeeze tight
And burst out like a star
Deep breath in
Breathe out
And curl in one more time
Get ready
And burst out like a star!
Deep breath in
VERSE 2 (rolling from side to side):
Now, turn over and lie down on your tummy, legs flat
And rest your head on your arms, like a pillow
Gently rock your hips from side to side
Let your whole body relax
Keep rocking, from side to side
Now, turn over, and lie down on your back
Curl in
Bring your knees to your chest
Tuck in your chin
Squeeze tight
And burst out like a star!
Deep breath in
Curl in
And breathe out
Squeeze tight
And burst out like a star!
Now, sit up
Move your legs apart, toes to the sky
And roll your feet out to the side
Now, roll your feet back in, big toes touching
Roll them out
Roll them in
Roll them out
Bring them back in
Out, and in
And gently rock from side to side
And keep rocking
Do you know what you are?
I’m and R & R Star
Yes, you are
Take a deep breath in, and blow out softly
It’s a good idea to have some R & R