Baby (Primitive) and Postural Reflexes: Automatic reflexes that bring about involuntary postural movements. Usually inhibited or integrated during the first 12-18 months of life.

An important thing to understand about reflexes is that if a child’s baby reflexes are still strong, and their postural reflexes are under-developed, then this may impede development in other areas.

Some reflex skill activities are:

• Crocodile – same sided i.e. arm and leg bent on same side as face, cross pattern i.e. arm bent on same side as face, leg straight on this side. Then change-change-change.
• Crawl underneath a row of hockey sticks/brooms/chairs while class hold them – same side: pull with hands and push with feet (stay on tummy!) then cross pattern – opposite hand and foot moving together.
• Roll down a hill, arms straight overhead and the legs held straight. Do slowly!
• Pull yourself along a plank of wood with both hands.
• Glide with your arms and feet straight and hold off the ground.
• Bear walk (on hands and feet moving hand and foot on same side together) – Crab/Spider walk – Monkey walk (cross pattern - opposite hand and foot moving together) – Bunny hops
• Monkey walk on a ladder or push a ball with your head
• Monkey bars – check that thumbs are up and over bar
• Bridge – lift one arm and wave, one leg, one arm and one leg