The Touch-Learn Infant Massage Teacher Training Programme has been designed to meet an increased demand in the need for Infant Massage Teachers; as infant massage has been identified as being particularly well suited to support parenting in the community.
The Touch-Learn programme is suitable for health professionals, complementary therapists and anyone interested in working with and supporting parents and children, who wish to access an exemplary training.
The benefits for facilitating this service include improved support for parents and, in particular, development of parenting skills. Also, infant massage has an important role in improving mental health outcomes such as post-natal depression and attachment disorders. For the child, the benefits include the promotion of its physical and cognitive development. The infant massage teacher may enhance the role of health professionals, as it gives the opportunity for the development of a working partnership between parents, infants and professional. It allows for the development of a sensitive service that focuses the needs of the infant and parent, in terms of well-being, as well as encouraging life skills development and education.
The Touch-Learn programme is designed to give the necessary knowledge to those who do not have any prior massage therapy experience and to those who do not have any prior knowledge about child development or how to facilitate and empower parents with infants in the group setting.
All infant massage teachers need evidence that the qualification they hold is of a high standard and is recognised by the relevant regulatory bodies. Touch-Learn Infant Massage Teachers can be confident that their training meets the very high standards expected.
Programme
This programme involves both practical and theoretical study and assessment. You will learn about:- Massage techniques and a massage routine suitable for babies
- Teaching strategies to help you facilitate groups and teach one-to-one sessions
- Supporting and empowering parents
- How music, movement and rhyme may enhance child development and parent-infant interaction
- The origins of infant massage and some cultural influences
- The emotional and physiological benefits of massage for infants, children and parents
- Theories of bonding and attachment in relation to infant massage
- Early communication and infant behavioural cues
- Anatomy and physiology related to infant massage
- Stretching and relaxation techniques to enhance relaxation in infant massage sessions
- Contra-indications and cautions to massage
- Suitable oils to use and oils to avoid
- Professionalism and health and safety
- Marketing yourself as an infant massage teacher to parents, professionals and relevant authorities
- Writing protocols (for health professionals)
- Developing the massage techniques for the older child
- Adapting the massage for the special needs child
- Study skills to enable you to complete the programme successfully
Course Structure
This five day programme includes:- PART ONE: Three consecutive days involving practical and theoretical study, followed by
- A sixteen week interval to allow for the completion of practice teaching sessions and portfolio, written assignments and study for anatomy and physiology multiple choice paper, followed by
- PART TWO: Two consecutive days for further development, final practical assessment and anatomy and physiology multiple choice paper
Admission Criteria
To study for the Touch-Learn Infant Massage Programme, you must be working with, or have an interest in working with and supporting parents and children.
Study Level
To become a Qualified Infant Massage Teacher all students must access one of the following programmes:- QIMT - Qualified Status
- QIMT (level 5)
- QIMT (level 6)
No proof of prior study is required to access the programme at QIMT - Qualified Status. If you wish to study at level 5 and 6, it is necessary to provide evidence that you have previously attained 120 credits at level 4 or level 5 respectively from your educational establishment.
For those accessing the course at level 5 or 6, on successful completion you will also be awarded 24 credits at either level 5 or 6 from the University of Central England. These credits can be attributed to awards within the Faculty of Health and Community Care. Please indicate choice of programme on the enrolment form.
