Rhythmic Movements: A Second Chance to Integrate Primitive Reflexes
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits: 1 CERP, 1 R-CERP, 1 Nurse Contact Hours, 1 CME, 0.1 Midwifery CEU, 1 ACM CPD Hours, 1 AMS CPD
- Handout: Yes
Abstract:
Primitive reflexes are necessary for an infant’s survival. These reflexes typically become integrated in the first year of life as the child instinctively practices rhythmic movements. If these reflexes do not become integrated into daily functioning, they may impede the development of more mature reflexes, causing difficulties in self-regulation, social, emotional, and academic aspects of a child's life. Studies have illustrated that rhythmic movements can give a child a second chance to integrate their primitive reflexes (Blythe, 2005; Grzywniak, 2017).
Liz Jones-Twomey, along with her musical partner Ron Hiller and researcher Susan Overvelde, conducted an eight-week research study with children ages 4 to 6. This study supports the idea that the primitive reflexes of school aged children can be integrated by practicing rhythmic movements which mimic those infants naturally do. The Blomberg Rhythmic Movements and developmental movements practiced in the Rockin’ Reflex videos used in the study, helped to integrate student’s primitive reflexes and improved Self-Regulation skills.
There was a statistically significant improvement in post-intervention primitive reflex scores, suggesting that the rhythmic movements practiced in these videos helped integrate children’s primitive reflexes. There were also statistically significant improvements in behavioural, cognitive, and emotional self-regulation scores, suggesting that by integrating primitive reflexes, children were able to self-regulate better.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify four critical developmental movement patterns needed to support brain-body integration.
2. List at least 3 Blomberg Rhythmic Movements (BRMT) that support integration of the primitive reflexes (and stimulate the Brain Stem, Limbic System, Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex).
3. Explain how current research suggests a link between unintegrated primitive reflexes and challenges with self-regulation, focus and behaviour in young children.
