Our Programs
Massage In School Program or MISP™ was created in the year 2000 by Sylvie Hétu from Canada and Mia Elmsäter from Sweden. Following their extensive experience in education and as international trainers of the IAIM baby massage program, they were asked in their respective countries to create approaches for older children. The official creation of the MISP™ took place following a request from a health school in the United Kingdom. Since then, the program has gradually emerged in several other countries. The benefits brought by the practice of MISP™, including the increased degree of attention and kindness experienced by children in class, are then also felt among educational staff. The MISP™ makes it possible to work on improving the school climate in the classroom, the quality of life in the establishment, new representations of the school, the diversification of professional practices, the prevention of bullying, the reduction of dropping out of school, the acceptance of others, the notion of limits and consent, the development of conditions for mutual helping behaviours between students, the reduction in stress levels contributing to an increased atmosphere of calm in the classroom and in the fight against all forms of violence and discrimination. People interested in training and obtaining the international certificate will complete a two-day training allowing them to implement the program with children aged 4 to 12 in schools, community centers and with families.
The Mini-MISP™, satellite program of MISP, was developed after receiving several requests from instructors and trainers wanting to bring a specific program to 2 and 3 year olds. A pilot project in the UK was successful, leading to the launch of Mini-MISP™. It is important to continue to support that MISP™ itself is designed for children ages 4 and up, who have the physical, emotional and social capabilities to practice the program as it is. Adapting it to 2 and 3 year olds required a review of children’s own approach to massage, in line with their psychological development. It was first necessary to revise all expectations regarding this age group by delving deeper into the nature of 2 and 3 year old children, which is done during this training. This training is one full day and allows implementation in daycares, crèches, early childhood centers as well as in family settings.
Touch and Move to Learn
The MISP™ program, in parallel with the basic “Massage Routine”, integrates physio-tactile activities intended to help children aged 4 to 12 use their bodies as part of their development and school learning. The “Touch and Move to Learn” satellite program was created to raise public awareness of this essential need for children to touch and move, and to help MISP™ instructors perfect their skills for this purpose. This training day is intended to help all those involved to become aware of the importance of touch and movement in the development of the child and to introduce them to certain activities, as well as to the basic principles for creating them and put into practice in their own teachings or in family life. This training responds to requests from teachers and parents who wish to understand why children learn better when they move and use their sense of touch in a healthy way, both with their environment and with their peers.
