Infant Massage-Older Children

Marcia Kading, C.I.M.I.

Infant Massage-Older Children

Now I am using my grandchildren to illustrate what can be done with older children. Here we are doing a group massage like a train.

Try singing a favorite song and changing song words to different body parts.

It's also fun to use massage tools or toys with wheels to massage each other.

Sometimes everyone wants a massage at the same time. We are doing a group hand massage and having fun at the same time. I think with older children some fun is great. Ask them what feels good, what direction they like, or what pressure they prefer.

Because of my professional background, I am sensitive to issues of abuse. If you ask permission to touch or massage starting as babies and continuing with your older children you are empowering them. When you respect and listen to them, they learn that they have control of their bodies and it is all right to say no.

Sometimes older children like to be held tightly. This is a nice way to accomplish that. Notice that I am holding her feet and her arms and she has brought her hand to her mouth. Even after stopping their pacifier and finger sucking, older children very often use this to comfort themselves.

Here I have used an ottoman and my lap to make a comfortable position for both us.