Connecting the Dots

I struggled initially to comprehend the connection between working on primitive reflexes and the subsequent improvement in learning. However, as I delved deeper into research, I discovered substantial evidence supporting the link between motor development, cognition, and executive functioning skills. Furthermore, extensive evidence supports the associations among primitive reflexes, balance center development, ocular center development, and learning.

Have you ever heard someone mention the connection between a lack of normal crawling and reading difficulties later in life? Well, it turns out that statement is true. The development that takes place in the first year of life is crucial for supporting proper future brain development. These early motor milestones hold great importance and are sometimes missed in almost all children with learning issues.

Take a moment to reflect on your child’s history. If you answer “no” to any of these questions, it is likely a contributing factor to your child’s learning struggles.

1. Did your child engage in army crawling at five to seven months?

2. Did your child crawl on hands and knees (cross crawl) at six to eight months?

3. Did your child start walking at eleven-and-a-half to twelve-and-a-half months?

4. Does your child demonstrate good posture?

5. Did your child learn to tie their shoes at an appropriate age?

6. Did your child learn to ride a bicycle at an appropriate age?

7. Did your child exhibit coordination similar to other children as they grew up?

8. Does your child run symmetrically and with good coordination?

The systems we develop in the first year of life form the foundation for motor development, which is essential for cognitive center development. Therefore, if you answered “no” to any of these questions because your child did not achieve these milestones or did not achieve them within the expected time frames, it indicates a lack of appropriate motor system development, which could mean lack of cognitive development, executive functioning skills, and subsequent learning difficulties.