Discover how motor and cognitive issues in children are linked to new habits and how to address them.
This observation is not isolated. Many professionals, including speech therapists, are concerned about the increase in difficulties among today's youth. Speech therapy, in fact, is a profession in high demand, with often very long waiting lists, highlighting the extent of the phenomenon.
One identified cause is the increasing interaction with screens, sometimes leading to the development of what is termed "virtual autism." Children, from a very young age, are constantly exposed to screens, resulting in visual and auditory overstimulation. This excessive stimulation can accelerate the development of certain brain areas at the expense of others, disrupting the child's natural neurodevelopmental pattern.
The use of walkers or playpens for children, increasingly common to provide freedom of movement for parents, also has a negative impact. In Canada, the walker has been banned since 2004, not only for safety reasons but also for its detrimental effect on child development.
The walker limits proprioception, preventing the child from bumping into things and developing their archaic reflexes related to the hip. It deprives the child of the opportunity to crawl and move naturally, essential steps in neurodevelopment. Moreover, it disrupts the vestibular system, as the child falls less and does not develop their balance properly.
These developmental disruptions have significant repercussions on cognitive functions and school learning.
An insufficient development of the labyrinthine tonic reflex, linked to the vestibular system, can lead to poor short-term memory, concentration difficulties, and comprehension issues. This manifests on the sports field, where instructions need to be repeated, as well as in school, with problems in reading, math, spelling, and a tendency toward boredom or distraction.
Another crucial archaic reflex is the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex, fundamental for learning. If it is not integrated, one observes academic difficulties, memory and concentration problems, language delays, as well as "Dys" disorders (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysorthographia), and difficulties in writing and reading. It may also be linked to ADHD and autism risks.
Other crucial reflexes, such as the Moro reflex, the symmetrical tonic neck reflex, the Galant reflex, or the palmar reflex, also play a major role in cognition and motor skills. Poor development of the palmar reflex, for example, can lead to issues with graphic skills and communication, as the hand is linked to the jaw.
It is possible to address these aspects and stimulate what has not been sufficiently developed during childhood.
Integrating exercises for archaic reflexes, especially in sports warm-ups, can be very beneficial. These exercises are playful, easy to implement, and can be complemented with a few minutes of daily stimulation at home. This helps strengthen neurological foundations and improve cognitive abilities.
Movement and sensory stimulation are essential for brain development. The brain's number one job is survival, and number two is movement. It is movement that creates connections. A lack of sensory stimulation leads to a lack of movement, which harms the brain's ability to make predictions and adapt.
It is observed that today's children have fewer opportunities to play outside and explore their environment compared to previous generations, where parents had to "yell at them to come back in." This deficit in sensory connection is a major challenge.
There is a correlation between the evolution of the foot and that of the brain. Today's convenience, through very rigid shoes or the use of walkers, prevents the foot from developing fully. An underdeveloped foot could thus be linked to a brain whose development does not reach its full potential.
It is important to remember that the reflexes of the foot, such as the Babinski reflex or the plantar grasp reflex, are related to the development of the jaw. A whole set of complex interactions underscores the importance of holistic and not segmented development.
Modern comfort and instant gratification, especially with screens and easy rewards, also impact creativity and perseverance. In an age where everything is instantaneous, the brain's gratification process is altered, diminishing the ability to develop complex solutions and innovate. In the past, with a simple game of marbles or a ball, children had to be resourceful to invent dozens of games. Today, this creativity is less solicited.
It is crucial to "re-stimulate what has not been stimulated" in young children. Working on vestibular systems, memory through relevant and specific exercises, particularly in sports, is essential. The aim is to make these learnings playful and stimulating, so that children progress with enjoyment and assimilate knowledge more effectively.
For future and young parents, awareness of these issues is paramount. The problems we face today, even among young adults under 25, are often related to developmental stages that were "skipped" during childhood. Posture and neurology offer keys to understanding and correcting these dysfunctions.
Is your child getting tired while writing? Discover how an archaic reflex, the ATNR, can disrupt coordination and learning into adulthood.
Exhausted but unable to disconnect? Discover how to restore your brain's balance to regain focus and mental energy.
Discover how perception, not force, is the key to movement. Dive into the paradox of the first step and revolutionize your understanding of the body.
