Written By Miss Favour Egwumba.

The most common interpretation ie what many people imagine when they think of the word Cerebral Palsy, it’s the idea that people with this type of “disability” cannot function properly with their brain.

Unfortunately, that’s a lie.

Most children living with CP might not have the motor function that comes with a regularly functioning brain and so, this can contribute to the idea that they are not responsive to the things that happen around their environment.

But they are and you as a parent can help to stimulate them more and watch them spark with a responsive behaviour.

Here’s some of the things we have created for you to get started.

Music…

I feel good para para rarara

That was my favourite song as a child.

This is what music does with its tunes and lyrics. Just like infants grow up to the recognition of their mother’s voice, a child who is introduced to the rhythms present in songs will know just how to respond in a sharp and clear manner.

And in whatever state, the mind that is stimulated never reclines or tries to be redundant.

Music is a universal language that works in uniquely different ways to produce a beautiful mind-experience.

In this case, music helps to exercise the child’s mind and it’s one of the best gifts God has blessed us with.

So, either with your voice singing a song of praise during routine periods like bath time, or playing a song from your radio speaker or television, your child is always listening.

And by making this a consistent, everyday habit, you can go a long way in creating a more actively-focused interaction between the both of you.

This is exactly why music is important.

Maintaining a form of routine for the child using his favourite type of music can do so much of good for his brainwave, keeping him focused on a routine, or helping him calm down when s/he is angry at something.

For you the minder (mother, father or guardian),the health benefits for you is encouraging. As taking care of a child with Cerebral palsy can take its strain on your own mental health, music can be a good escape as well as the perfect way to bond with your child.

The language of music would go a long way to keep the interaction between you and your unique child, opening his mind to be receptive to the sounds around him, and maintain an active presence and participation in receiving them.

Music creates a delicious feeling that can spur the child to the idea of excitement at all times, and can help him get into activities like sitting still just to listen to what the music has for him.

It’s like the Christmas song that reminds you of delicious food.

And everybody else knows just how delightful it feels.

If you think the child is distracted by something, try tuning up the radio set a few volumes up or playing that favourite song. S/he is very much likely to get into the tune of the song as a distraction, and later you find that you have built a really good connection to keep him focused on what you want him to do.

So, for you parents and minders, this is hoping you have learnt a thing or two from here. We would acknowledge it if you drop a comment on how this has affected you in one way or another.

From the straight child foundation, keep engaging that child to live a life beyond limits.