A nurturing touch creates lasting connections that enrich our lives forever.
What is the nurturing touch?
The sense of touch is the earliest sensory ability to develop in the womb. Touch is often referred to as the "mother's sense," considered foundational for survival and surpassing other senses in importance. While one can endure the absence of sight, hearing, smell, and taste, touch is indispensable. Skin sensitivity emerges as early as eight weeks into embryonic development. In the womb, the fetus experiences a pseudo-massage through the movement of amniotic fluid, later complemented by contact with the uterine wall. The birthing process itself serves as an essential massage for the newborn. Touch, being the most advanced sense, becomes the primary mode of communication between parents and their infants, forming a crucial aspect of bonding.
Keep your life simple
and serenity will follow.
Like a small country with little
need for supersonic travel,
a simple life has little need for
tension and stress
Give your children yourself, and
the need for things will be minimal.
--- VIMALA MCCLURE
Parents worldwide know that their babies need to be held, rocked, carried and fondled. Cross-cultural studies have shown that in societies where infants are held, massaged, rocked, breastfed and carried, adults are more cooperative, compassionate, and less aggressive and violent. For infants, massage is much more than a luxurious experience or physical therapy. It is a tool for maintaining a child's health and well-being. Parents feel secure in their ability to do something positive and receive a positive response from their baby. Research has shown that touch is as important as food for humans and animals.
Why massage your baby is important?
What are the benefits of Infant Massage?
There are physical and emotional benefits of infant massage, and our IAIM infant massage incorporates traditional massage of reflexology, Swedish massage, Indian massage and baby yoga.
Parents who attended our baby massage class taught by CIMI ( certified infant massage instructor ) always gave positive feedback that they had gained so much knowledge of baby massage and that they understood what baby massage is. It will help the baby to be physically healthy and build up a strong bond between parents and babies.
First-time parents always felt a lack of parenting skills, and they found that infant massage can make parents feel relaxed and help the baby feel more valued, respected, and loved. It provided parents with a space to connect with their babies deeply. They are gaining a deeper understanding of their baby.
It also helps both parents and babies reduce their crying and emotional stress.
01
Stimulation
02
Relief
03
Relaxation
04
Interaction
4 Main benefits of the nurturing touch
It is through loving, caressing, tactile stimulation, and communication that the infant learns that he/she is loved.
We must speak to their skins. We must speak to their backs, which thirst and cry as much as their bellies.
-Loving Hands: The Traditional Art of body massage
Frederick Leboyer
What will IAIM training equip you to do?
Our training program will empower you to instruct parents or primary caregivers, either individually or in small groups, in the art of baby massage. You'll be proficient in demonstrating massage techniques using a doll, creating a serene atmosphere conducive to informal discussions on various baby-focused topics.
In addition to acquiring the skills to facilitate parent-infant communication, you'll be able to foster parent/child bonding and contribute to the optimal conditions for infant development. Within this supportive environment, parents and caregivers will discover the myriad benefits of nurturing touch.
It's important to note that this certification doesn't qualify you to train others in teaching or performing infant massage. During the four-day training, you'll be asked to sign an agreement acknowledging this limitation.
What is the process to become an instructor
The IAIM instructor training presents a unique opportunity for individuals to assist parents and primary caregivers acquire the skills to communicate lovingly and respectfully with their babies through massage.
This comprehensive training integrates international core curriculum theory with hands-on experience, allowing participants to learn massage strokes on a doll and teach segments of a parent/baby massage class. Throughout the training, three sessions involve parents and their babies: one led by the trainer for observation and two providing students with the chance to facilitate part of a class, supported by their peers.
To achieve certification as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI), students must:
1) Attend the professional four-day instructor training course led by an internationally qualified IAIM trainer.
2) Complete a take-home assignment within four months following the training.
3) Submit parent evaluation forms after teaching five baby massage classes to five families.
After submitting your assignment, the trainer will review it and issue the certificate from the IAIM ( International Association of Infant Massage).
The IAIM training program welcomes individuals interested in sharing the numerous benefits of nurturing touch and is designed to be accessible to anyone with that interest.
Why attend IAIM Instructor Training?
Amazing lady Vimala Maclure founded the IAIM organization in 1972. After many years of experience in infant massage, with the help of another inspiring lady, Audrey Downes, they established the framework to register the association to expand Vimala's vision and mission.
The International Association of Infant Massage is a world-class standard for training and teaching infant massage classes. If you want to become a certified infant massage class, you will have the opportunity to attend our face-to-face training with IAIM-certified trainer consultant Maria Joao Alvito from Portugal.
To this day, all trainers and certified instructors continue to impact more families with a nurturing touch, support more families, and create world awareness of infant massage. We truly believe that infant massage can help every parent and every infant have the opportunity to experience the lifelong benefits that have come from loving, healthy, and secure early bonds.
To find out more information, visit the international site: www.iaim.net
The quality and professionalism of the IAIM infant massage training are second to none, and the IAIM constitutes perhaps the world's most important and culturally innovative Social Movement to emerge in recent decades. Research shows conclusively that healthy early attachment is essential in human development, and the IAIM training is by far the best institutional approach on the planet for nurturing and empowering early parent-child attachment relationships."
About The Trainer
Maria João Alvito
Maria graduated from the Portuguese Physiotherapy University in 1990 and started working in different areas of Physiotherapy at the Lisbon Egas Moniz Hospital until 2001. She taught prenatal and postnatal parental educational groups. At this time, I also work with the Portuguese Association of Physiotherapy in Women's Health, developing training for physiotherapists.
I began working with IAIM—International Association of Infant Massage in 2000 as a CIMI (Certified Infant Massage Instructor) and in 2005 as an IAIM Trainer. She co-founded the official representative chapter of IAIM in Portugal, entitled APMI. I am a member of the IM Educational Committee for Trainer Candidates, developing training in different countries to certify IAIM Trainers and supervising the international process to become an IAIM Trainer.
In 2002, a parental educational health centre—Olá Mamã—was founded in Lisbon by the coordinator CEO of a multi-care health team. The centre welcomes new families, where parents can clarify their doubts and receive several pre- and post-natal services covering health issues.
Maria João develops professional training covering exercises for pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal parental education, pregnancy massage and baby massage.
In the last twenty years, she has taught 300 professional health training courses throughout Portugal. She has been invited to each and has supervised training in several countries, such as Germany, Italy, Spain, Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and China since 2018. The overall training content regards infant massage, pregnancy massage, and trainer candidates' training.
In between, she was the author and host of the Mãe-me-Quer TV program in SIC Mulher - a Portuguese women's channel. The program included 13 episodes concerning parenting, pregnancy, and childhood, and different health experts were invited to discuss issues covering pregnancy, pre- and post-natal periods, and child development. Inspired by different cultures, families and babies to spread the nurturing touch all over the world.
Upcoming Courses Date(s):
The IAIM curriculum is being taught in more than 70 countries and has been developed and refined for over 40 years through research, reflective practice and practical experience. This has resulted in a widely endorsed and implemented parenting programme.
The IAIM instructor training offers a unique opportunity for individuals to help parents and primary caregivers develop the skills to communicate lovingly and respectfully with their babies through massage. This comprehensive training integrates international core curriculum theory with hands-on experience, allowing participants to learn massage strokes on a doll and teach segments of a parent/baby massage class. I hope the above answers your questions. If you are a healthcare professional or parenting educator in the hospital, the IAIM instructor program is a must-attend to keep your knowledge and skills up to date.
Training Dates: 12 to 15 June, 2026
Mode: Physical training, in English
Time: 9 am - 5 pm daily
Venue: TBC, Singapore
Limited time offer: SGD 1999 nett per person (U.P. $2300)
Closing Date: 10 May 2026
Light refreshments will be included.
How to register for the course:
Step 1: Submit your application
Step 2: Sign up now to make a payment
Our instructor training includes:
1. Four full days of physically intensive training with theory and practical.
2. IAIM Instructor Manual as requested.
3. Comprehensive compendium of additional information.
4. 1 x Bottle of Baby massage oil
5. 1 x Baby massage doll for demonstrating purpose
6. Ongoing support from the trainer and organiser
7. Trainer reviewing the assignment through email
8. First-year membership with the IAIM Singapore Chapter
9. An attendance certificate will be issued upon completion of the training.
Ways Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd reserves the right to the above courses.
Package of Instructor Programme 0-6 years
(IAIM + Kind Hands)
Package Usual fee: $2650 per person
Limited time offer: $2199
Dear Educators and Caregivers,
We're excited to introduce the “Kind Hands Instructor Programme”!
This comprehensive training is perfect for those dedicated to working with children and families.
About the Kind Hands Massage Stories and Songs Programme
Designed for children aged 2-6 years, our program combines simple, clothed massage strokes with nursery rhymes, songs, and stories. This evidence-based approach fosters essential social-emotional skills in young children.
Program Benefits and Takeaways
By joining our Kind Hands Instructor Programme, you'll:
1. Understand the benefits of massage and touch for children's social-emotional development
2. Learn and practice simple massage strokes and techniques
3. Integrate massage into daily routines and activities
4. Recognise and respond to children's emotional cues and needs
5. Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment
6. Develop strategies for promoting relaxation and stress management in children
7. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Kind Hands program in your school setting
Upcoming Training Sessions
1. Online (Mandarin): Oct 24 & 31, 2026, 10 am - 2 pm
2. Physical (English): November 6, 2026, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Registration Details
Kind Hands Fee: SGD $299 per person (U.P. $380)
Package offer: $2199 per person ( U.P SGD 2680 )
-IAIM Instructor training (U.P SGD 2300) + Kind Hands Programme (U.P SGD 380)
Light refreshments will be provided.
How to register for the course:
Reserve your seat now by submitting your application form
Step 1: Find out more and submit your application form. Click here
Step 2: Sign up now to make a payment. Click here
