Individuals seeking certification as an infant massage instructor are invited to enroll in a two-day course this spring offered by the International Loving Touch Foundation.
The class meets May 17 and 18 in the Memorial Conference Center, Ground Floor, Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. Instructor trainer Diana Moore, MS, LMT, will lead participants through lecture, audio-visuals, discussion, demonstration and hands-on participation with dolls and through a parent-infant lab.
The program is specifically designed for nurses, massage therapists, early interventionist specialists, occupation and physical therapists, childbirth educators, social workers and other interested health care professionals who work with families.
During the training, Moore will cover such topics as the history and techniques of infant massage; massaging the well-baby, as well as physically challenged infants and children; benefits of massage and how it promotes infant development.
Participants will receive a diploma of certification though the International Loving Touch Foundation, Inc. The organization is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as a continuing education provider under Category A and carries 39 continuing education units.
Moore, founder and director of the ILTF is a practicing licensed massage therapist and parent educator. She holds a master’s degree in business and completed her undergraduate work in health education and sports medicine. Over the past 30 years, she has taught the program to both parents and professionals around the world. She is producer of the Baby’s First Touch video and developer of the Loving Touch Parent-Infant Massage Program.
Cost for the program is $550 including supplies if registration is received by April 18. For more information or to attend the course contact Excela Health childbirth educator Karen Kettering, 724-832-4185, or the International Loving Touch Foundation, 503-253-8482. A free parent-baby massage class will be held as part of the training. Parents and their children newborn through pre-crawlers are invited to attend one of two 90-minute workshops. Both sessions meeting 2 to 3:30 p.m., May 17 and 18. To attend, contact Kettering.
