When a student comes into IM for the very first time, I can frequently and quickly (with in minutes of structured movement) identify immature movement patterns. Instead of making circles as I patterned for them, they either flatten the circles, make arches, or go entirely backwards. These students usually are still under the power of their ATNR, an infant reflex that should have be integrated by about 9 months old. When a child is under the control of retained infant reflexes, they are continuously having to process their body in space with their conscious mind, their cerebrum or neocortex. When you are using your intellectual part of your brain to prevent you from falling out of your chair, you can not hear what the teacher is saying. "I didn't hear her" the student reports. How many parents or teachers have heard that phrase about some missing piece of homework. Maybe it's not just an excuse, maybe it's real! Maybe this child actually did not hear the assignment, and it wasn't because they were talking to a neighbor but because they were trying to sit still. I believe children are trying their very best, at least they begin that way. IM helps to quickly and accurately automatize body in space processing. This develops subconscious control over these body in space issues, helping children to free up their cortex to actually learn.
Today I ran across some more ATNR information that I will post here.
A motor lab with several 6 to 8 year olds all with ATNR still present.
Lizard Exercise
Bow and Arrow
More Reflexes: TLR STNR STNR 2
Teenagers with ATNR still present can find driving more challenging... Check here
Another site to check out
