(sorry i forgot to note the page number for this quote but wrote the quote down - if anyone finds it then please comment on the post to let people know)
'with a child who has a tendency to stand on his toes, positions in
which the foot is not at a right angle to the leg should be avoided. This
applies to crawling as well as, for example, cross leg sitting'
which the foot is not at a right angle to the leg should be avoided. This
applies to crawling as well as, for example, cross leg sitting'
I can see the logic of this but as a student conductor was never told this and have seen many children who tend to stand on their toes use crossed-leg sitting and crawling. And have used these positions with such children many times - i feel appropriately.
so.... any thoughts?
Jules
ReplyDeleteI think this all depends on how long the child is going to sit with crossed legs and when small children are playing on the floor it is usually for a very short time, so it shouldn't be a big problem. Especially when it is also important for the children to actively learn to move their feet in all directions.
If you wish a child to remain with crossed legs for longer times for some reason then try it with the child's splints on.
It usually isn't as uncomfortable for them as it appears and they will soon tell you if it is. It can in some cases be easier in splints and you can play or do what ever it is you want to do with crossed-leg sitting and not have to worry about the position of the feet.
Try it your self. If the knees come up too far and tip the weight backwards then sit the child on a wedge.
I personally don't think it is necessary to put the splints on as the child won't be in the postition for long anyway, but it is important to be aware of this. We must also be aware that crossed-leg sitting can also be painful in the knees, another reason why not to remain like it for too long.
There may be better ways to teach the child whatever it is you need to do in crossed-leg sitting.
Susie
PS
Crossed leg sitting is mentioned in Dina on page 149.
It states here that no position should be held for too long. This is what we must always remember and also think about which position follows crossed-leg sitting to bring the ankle back into a flexed position.
" When sitting cross-legged, the feet are stretched, which has to be avoided. This does not mean however that it cannot be allowed for some short time."
Another point: Dina was written by the Ákoses not by András Petö I expect there are many more snippets in the book that conductors were not introduced to in their training.