Frühkindliche Reflexe und ihre Bedeutung für die Entwicklung eines Kleinkindes

Frühkindliche Reflexe und ihre Bedeutung für die Entwicklung eines Kleinkindes

A child’s development from the very beginning of life is a fascinating process that is based on reflexes. These automatic body responses play a key role in preparing the toddler for the next stages of life. For parents, understanding the role of early childhood reflexes is not only a chance to better understand the child’s needs, but also to support its development.

What are reflexes?

A reflex is an automatic, involuntary reaction of the body to a stimulus. It is a mechanism that works independently of the human will, helping them adapt to the environment. Early childhood reflexes prepare the body for new challenges and practice movement patterns needed at subsequent stages of life. Doctors and specialists examine them to assess the maturity of the newborn’s nervous system.

When do reflexes appear?

Primary reflexes develop in fetal life and play an important role in the first months of a child’s life. Some of them disappear around 6 months of age, giving way to more complex responses, such as balance reflexes, which develop between 6 and 8 months of age and reach their full potential between 18 and 24 months of age. These reactions shape the child’s sense of balance and awareness of body position.

Ivan Pavlov’s discoveries

We owe research on reflexes to, among others, Ivan Pavlov, who described the so-called chain reflexes. It is a phenomenon in which the end of one reaction becomes the beginning of another. Thanks to this, we understood how reflexes support the body in adapting to new challenges.

The role of primary reflexes in child development

Primary reflexes are generated at the level of the brainstem and help the newborn adapt to the world outside the womb. They are the foundation for proper sensory, motor and cognitive development. Their activity in the first year of life is natural and desirable, but their presence after the age of 12 months may indicate developmental delays.

Prolonged activity of primary reflexes can inhibit the development of postural reflexes, which are responsible for posture, balance and coordination control. This can lead to difficulties in functioning later in life, such as:

• Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dysorthography, dyspraxia
• Attention deficit disorder
• Hyperactivity (e.g., ADHD)
• Difficulties in reading, writing and articulation
• Fine and gross motor skills problems
• Undetermined lateralization
• Emotional and social difficulties

The most important primary reflexes

The key primary reflexes include, m.in:

• Moro reflex – a reaction to a sudden stimulus, e.g. a loud sound.
• TOB (tonic labyrinth reflex) – affects the development of muscle tone.
• ATOS and STOS – reflexes related to movement and coordination.
• Galant’s dorsal reflex – a reaction to touch in the back area.
• Grasping reflex – clenching the hand on an adult’s finger.
• The search and sucking reflex – crucial in feeding a newborn.

The role of the senses and sensory integration

A child’s development is based on information sent by sensory systems, including vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile. Every movement and action of the toddler provides him with the stimuli necessary for learning and development.

In sensory integration (SI) therapy, stimulating exercises are crucial. Thanks to properly selected games, the child develops his skills in a pleasant and natural way. It is important to support the child’s self-regulation process and systematically introduce exercises to support development.

How can parents support their child’s development?

If you notice difficulties in your toddler’s development, it is worth consulting a sensory integration specialist. Regular exercise, providing the right sensory stimuli and conscious play are the key to harmonious development.

Child development is a process full of challenges, but also extraordinary discoveries. Understanding early childhood reflexes and their impact on the development of a toddler allows you to better respond to their needs and support them in achieving subsequent milestones. Remember that each child develops at their own pace – the support and patience of the parent is the foundation of their success.