An Introduction to Active Movement Koringa Hihiko - Sport New ...

SECTION A
9
Where Active
Movement/Koringa
Hihiko Begins
Movement begins very early in utero when the developing
fetus learns about gravity. In fact, balance, awareness and
sensory systems of the body begin their development within
weeks of conception. After a child is born, movement
progresses further as the hands and feet and the core
muscles of the stomach and back as well as the senses of
vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell develop.
This extends the world around
the baby so the surrounding
environment can be explored
and interacted with.
Involuntary reflexes assist the
infant to survive birth, cope
with the demands of gravity,
and the early months of life (eg
the sucking and hand-to-mouth
reflexes). These reflexes also
provide the preliminary ‘practising’
for later learning and development.
As an infant gains voluntary control
over their body by having many
positive opportunities to explore
movement, these involuntary reflexes
will be switched off or inhibited. This makes way for the
brain and body to control the higher levels of movement
and for higher learning to take place.