"Balance, Posture, and Movement - Optimizing children's learning capacities through integration of the sensory motor system" by Ingun Schneider

Excerpt: "As the child uses her "surveying instruments" - the senses of balance, self movement, and touch - she will build up a map of the space around her (spatial orientation) and of her own body in space (body awareness). This healthy integration of the senses of self movement and balance also manifests in the development of proper muscle tone. A child with good muscle tone can maintain a comfortable posture, using the least amount of energy needed for the activity, wether it involves movement - walking, running, knitting, cutting with scissors or a knife-or stability-sitting and standing. Proper muscle tone is the foundation for good posture, as well as for learning fine and gross motor skills. Reliable trunk stability allows the child to freely use her hands for skilled movements."

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