Kids Rhythms

If children or adults are hypersensitive to sound / smells / sights / balance / touch, there is a strong indication of a non-integrated Moro reflex. There are movements that can be done to help integrate this reflex effectively.

A newborn baby who is scared reacts by taking a deep breath & stretching out the arms & legs away from the body. Then the arms and legs are bent into the middle of the body & baby starts to cry. Baby must then be able to cling to mom / adult to help integrate the reflex. This is why as adults we instinctively pick babies up who are distressed until they calm down.This involuntary reaction is called the Moro reflex.

Children with an undeveloped Babinski reflex are often flatfooted, slow & don't like walking. they walk on the inside of their feet & their shoes are worn off on the inside as a result. They may also have loose ankles that are easily sprained. Others with an underdeveloped Babinski reflex may talk on their toes & rotate their hips inward. This can be remedied using appropriate movements to address the issue.

Some children find it hard to make simple rhythmic movements in a co-ordinated way,which we may not be aware of when he/she is moving around in an upright position.This may affect attention,planning,judgement,impulse control & abstract thinking;eye movements,reading comprehension,speed of info processing,memory, learning & speech development.By learning simple rhythmic movements,these negative effects can be reduced.

Many children with ADHD have low muscle tone & a hunched posture,which causes shallow breathing & insufficient arousal of the areas of the brain responsible for judgement,attention,control of impulses,etc.These children may alternate between hyperactivity (to try & stimlate the brain by moving around) & passivity.Good news: Rhythmic movements can help minimise these effects & remove them completely where possible.