What are primitive reflexes? Movement stimulates brain connections. Neonatal reflexes are present in the womb and the early stages of life and occur in a specific sequence to wire the brain for optimal sensory and motor function. These primitive responses originate in the brain stem and cause automatic, repetitive movements. Babies were designed to do reflex […]
The problem with TV (and other screens)
Children learn through play. They establish brain connections through movement. These brain connections ensure that children can concentrate on a task when they reach school age. They help with impulse control, judging situations and making a sustained effort. A child who is passive and immobile to the extreme may show deficits in gross and fine […]
What does vestibular mean?
The body has various feedback systems. The five senses of hearing, smell, taste, vision and touch along with proprioception and vestibular input make up the body’s sensory processing system. Proprioception refers to receptors in the joints, muscles and tendons – which gives feedback about joint position and joint movement. (Where are my body parts in relation […]
Sitting pretty: Why is cross-legged sitting important for children?
Growing up we sat cross-legged in school fairly often. The lower grades had carpets in the classrooms. We would sit there listening to the teacher read, or explain certain concepts. There wasn’t even a question: We all sat cross-legged. We sat like that through assembly in the school quad. We sat like that for morning […]
