Movement develops the brain

Why do we expect children to sit still when conception is an active process; the ensuing cell division is an active process; development of the embryo is an active process; growth of the foetus is an active process; birth is an active process; breathing is an active process; reaching each milestone is an active process; touching, smelling, tasting, seeing and listening are active processes; eating, singing, walking, sitting, reading, writing, learning and sleeping are active processes…?

The intricate design of every human being is shaped by an active process driven by an imperceptible force known as the primitive reflex system. This system employs fundamental movements to intricately link the brain, organs, senses, and muscles, enabling seamless communication among them. Essential neural connections are established from conception through the first 14 months of life.

Did you know?

  • Physical development has first call on brain activity.
  • Physical development forms the foundation for all later skills – confidence, team work, (perception, thinking, reading, writing, decision making, time management, etc..
  • Movement is integral to brain development..

If an infant experiences delays in reaching developmental milestones or disruptions in their sequence, it can significantly affect their emotional, social, and intellectual development. This is because physical development lays the groundwork for these other areas of development, and any interruptions or delays in physical growth can create ripple effects across a child’s overall development.

SOS signals

A child over the age of six who struggles to maintain focus and posture, even for short periods, and continues to face difficulties as they grow older, may indicate an immature nervous system and potential developmental delays. Such a child may exhibit reflexive movements in an effort to facilitate the necessary neuronal connections for smoother learning.

When essential sensory-motor wiring is lacking, clusters of the following behavioural cues may serve as distress signals, indicating that the child may require additional physical development support:

  • Tactile defensive or dormant
  • Can’t hop or balance on 1 leg
  • Battles to skip and gallop
  • Clumsy
  • Poor motor planning
  • Poor balance
  • Difficulty climbing down stairs
  • Fear of heights
  • Can’t tell left from right without a marker
  • Dominant hand not established
  • Gets lost and loose things
  • Problems crossing the midline
  • Dyspraxia
  • Dyslexia
  • Dyscalculia
  • Dysphasia
  • Dysgraphia
  • Poor auditory processing
  • Uncontrolled eye movements
  • Hyper active or hypo active
  • Delayed language development
  • Phobias
  • Moody
  • Swings or rocks for long periods of time
  • Repeated banging of head
  • Stiff posture
  • Can’t walk backwards
  • Can’t skip with a rope
  • Accident prone
  • Gets motion sick
  • Dizzy spells
  • Avoids rope bridges
  • Poor spatial orientation
  • Reversals
  • Low muscle tone
  • Avoids writing and reading
  • Avoids sport and dance
  • Poor sensory integration
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Panic disorders
  • Self-esteem disorders
  • Thrill seeker / avoider
  • Lacks impulse control
  • ADD / ADHD
  • Asperger Syndrome
  • Autism.

Preferring to watch TV or play computer games rather than engaging in outdoor activities or social interactions with others may indicate a need for additional physical development support.

Inappropriate movement and immature behaviour may indicate neural immaturities.

Will a child just ‘grow out of it’?

During typical development, primitive reflexes have a finite lifespan during which they emerge in a systematic order to construct and integrate specific parts of the nervous system before inhibiting and paving the way for more sophisticated neural processes and more mature behaviour. Primitive reflexes remain poised to re-emerge, develop and repair established neural pathways when impacted by illness, injury, or trauma.

When a primitive reflex fails to fulfil its developmental function and remains active, a person (young or old) may move or behave in an uncontrolled and reflexive manner in an attempt to complete the neural process necessary to progress. Inappropriate movement and immature behaviour may  indicate neural immaturities.

Because physical development takes precedence in brain activity, a person with neural immaturities may find it challenging to concentrate and access the higher brain functions of the prefrontal cortex to complete age-appropriate tasks. While they may have the potential to progress, they may remain stuck in a more immature developmental stage and display a cluster of behavioral indicators as listed above.

Unfortunately, ‘growing out of it’ is unlikely.

Nature uses the urge to move to develop the brain and once developed the brain control the urge to move.

Can you rewire the brain and body?

Yes, due to its plasticity, the brain and body can be rewired.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural pathways and connections. This process enables the central and peripheral nervous system to change and adapt due to intrinsic and extrinsic stimulation. Changes can be structural due to learning, or functional due to injury or trauma. It is never too late.

Will a child just ‘grow out of it’?

During normal development, primitive reflexes have a limited lifespan to fulfill their function. They each appear in systematic order to build and integrate targeted parts of the nervous system before intefrating, ready to reappear when an established neural pathway has been affected by illness, injury or trauma.

However, when a primitive reflex fails to fulfill its function within the appropriate timeframe, it remains active, leading the child to move or act in an uncontrolled and reflexive manner in an attempt to complete the neural process necessary for learning. These inappropriate movements serve as SOS signals, indicating neural immaturities.

Because physical development takes precedence in brain activity, a child with neural immaturities may find it challenging to sit still, concentrate, access their prefrontal cortex (thinking brain), and complete age-appropriate tasks. While such a child has the potential to progress, they may remain stuck in a more immature developmental stage and display three or more behavioral indicators listed above. Unfortunately, merely ‘growing out of it’ is unlikely.

To overcome these challenges, the child must complete the neural wiring process by mimicking the specific primitive reflex reactions responsible for building and integrating that specific part of the nervous system before they can mature and progress naturally.

Nature uses the urge to move to help children develop and once they have developed children can control the urge to move.

Can you rewire the brain and body?

Yes, due to its plasticity, the brain and body can be rewired.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural pathways and connections. This process enables the central and peripheral nervous system to change and adapt due to intrinsic and extrinsic stimulation. Changes can be structural due to learning, or functional due to injury or trauma. It is never too late. Neuroplasticity takes place throughout life.

To stimulate new neural pathways and connections between the senses, brain, and muscles, facilitating easier learning and more age-appropriate behavior, a parent, teacher, or therapist should:

  • Identify which part of the communication network between the senses, brain, and body requires stimulation through reflex assessment (Read more here).
  • Determine which Mind Move or other movement-based activity will effectively stimulate, develop, and integrate that specific area.
  • Understand that Mind Moves are not a quick fix.
  • Commit to maintaining the movement-based home program until myelination has occurred to solidify new neural pathways and connections.
  • Reinforce home efforts by incorporating targeted Mind Moves into daily classroom activities.
  • Acknowledge and celebrate each learner’s unique neural specialisation as demonstrated by a Mind Dynamix Profile (Read more here).

Skill development is only possible once the neural structure of the brain and body has matured.

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