Developmental movements are the most effective way to develop the brain and senses, to give every child the resources to be able to learn and manage well throughout life.

My area of knowledge and techniques are unique in Malta, and I am hoping the information here on my website will help parents, teachers and child development therapists understand how important it is to first integrate any retained Early Years primitive reflexes, especially with any child who is struggling, falling behind or failing in education, or children who are not reaching expected developmental milestones.

When educators understand that using movement in every classroom, for just a few minutes each day, will boost their children’s ability to be able to learn, they will have the most powerful tool to be able to help those that are struggling to sit still, listen, focus, read, write, do mental tasks, memorise, understand and everything else teachers, and parents, expect of their children. A bold statement I know, but absolutely true. I have personally experienced and seen the power of these movements and the profound changes they can make in every child, and adult, I have worked with. I have been using these movement based programmes for 20 years, and I believe these developmental movements should be available in every school. Children love them, and ask to do them, when they have been taught in class.

The Early Years childhood reflexes are SO important toward building the foundations of the central nervous system and the sensory-motor system that makes the connections throughout the brain, giving the child the resources to be able to learn. Movement is the most effective, cheapest and efficient way to create these neural connections that link up the brain naturally that helps make learning easier, enjoyable and successful for every child.

Physical / emotional / behavioural / social / academic and communication skills depend on efficient integration of the primitive and postural reflexes that every child is born with. 

Why are developmental movements the key to brain and sensory development?

Without movement the brain and sensory system will not fully develop and the connections that link up all areas of the brain will not be made sufficiently, leaving the brain and sensory system immature. The inborn movement pattern every baby is born with starts in utero during pregnancy, is important during the natural birthing process and then during the early years up to around 4 years old. If a baby misses any of the developmental movements and stages during this important period, the connections and the linking up of the brain will be poor. This is one of the main causes of learning challenges and developmental delays seen in most classrooms today. Movement is vital during the early years, especially during the first 12 months after birth as this is the time when the greatest growth of connections are made in a person’s life. ADHD can be a result of the lack of movement during this particular time of development that links up the executive functioning and ‘control’ area of the brain. This can be improved at any age with the techniques I have to offer parents, children, adults and schools.

Why do some children struggle in education and have to work much harder while others put less effort in and succeed easily?

Children who are struggling or failing in education usually have retained primitive reflexes from their Early Years development that maybe holding them back from accessing their true ability. Retained reflexes can have a negative impact on how well we succeed in education, in business, in sport and generally in life. It’s to do with how well developed and connected your brain and sensory system are that enables you to have the resources necessary to be able to learn and achieve well in all areas of your life, and with less effort. Some children, and adults, find ways to compensate for their difficulties, but as the pressure becomes greater as they move up the levels of education, or in their careers, the compensations no longer support them and this is when older students or adults get diagnosed with Dyslexia or other learning challenged labels when they are doing GCSE’s or A Levels or in University or have reached their workplace but cannot manage progressing further up the career ladder.

Whatever is holding you back from achieving higher grades and the results you want can  easily be improved for anyone wanting to better themselves and their skills. Developmental movements I teach can transform the ability to be able to learn with ease, confidence and success, and you will reach your goals more quickly, I guarantee.

Who are the people likely to have retained reflexes?

Anyone with various Learning Challenges / Dyslexia / Dyspraxia / ADHD / ADD / Behavioural / Emotional / Social issues / Speech and Language delays / Autism / People with disabilities / People with sensory-motor issues / Asperges / Cerebral palsy / Neurological / Developmental / Global delays / Mental health issues / PTSD / Brain injury / Trauma / Abuse / Neglect / Bonding and attachment issues / Children who were born prematurely / Adults not coping well with the pressures of life or feeling ‘connected’ with others and with the world.

What are primitive reflexes, and why does it matter if they are retained?

The primitive reflexes develop the Central Nervous System during every child’s Early Years development through movements they should naturally learn to make during this greatest time of neurological growth. If the primitive reflexes are still ‘active’ in the body much after 4 years old, the brain and sensory system functions at a lower level of maturity, making everything we do more challenging and stressful. Some people find ways to compensate for their difficulties and have to work much harder to achieve, and those with very poor connections will struggle throughout education and are likely to fail. If you first focus on developing the senses and inhibiting the primitive reflexes that make the connections strong, the person will no longer have to compensate or struggle and everything will become easier for life. This is so important for parents and the education system to be aware of, and to know that something as simple as using developmental movements can be used to help anyone struggling with learning and not achieving their rightful potential.

Can something be done to help an immature brain and sensory system after 4 years old?

Yes, Absolutely. It does not matter how old you are or what disability you may have, the brain and sensory system can be improved and developed using developmental movements similar to those that every baby should learn to make at any age. Of course, the earlier this is achieved, the less valuable time is lost in education. Teachers say that 70% of their time in the classroom is spent with helping children who are struggling to keep up with others who learn with easeSchools should not expect any child to be able to learn if they are not developmentally ready, and the signs can be clearly noticed in classrooms. The process of changing this is simple and requires no more than 10 – 15 minutes a day of specific movements that I teach. Usually the person cannot make these movements in an exact and effortless way at the beginning, but as they practice them this changes and the connections start to link up areas of the brain and learning challenges and difficulties ease away, allowing them to achieve success in any area they want.

How long it will take?                                                                                                         This will depend on how many reflexes are retained. On average, around 6 – 12 months, sometimes a little longer with more severe learning / developmental challenges and then the results are for life. A level of change takes place immediately after making each movement. As the person learns to make the movements exact over a 3 week period of just 10 minutes a day practice, so the level of change improves too, and the learning challenges will ease away. I guarantee results if my instruction is followed.

What can I offer parents, schools and therapy centres? 

I help parents, teachers and therapists understand the signs of retained reflexes and why some children struggle with learning and being able to connect in life, and why they have behavioural / emotional / social / learning challenges due to retained reflexes. I support schools by helping to assess children for retained primitive reflexes that will clearly explain why they are struggling in the classroom, and then use specific developmental movements that will change their ability and make teaching and learning easier. I run courses for therapists so they have additional techniques to add to their toolbox when helping children in their centres. The earlier children are assessed and helped, the less learning problems occur and less cost through their education to parents and schools. This will result in giving children more opportunities through their educational years with higher end of year grades, and then better choices of jobs after finishing education.

My aim is to share my knowledge and experience through talks and training with schools and various professionals that will add another way of looking at, and addressing, learning challenges and developmental issues that are not yet available in Malta. My techniques require no equipment, are simple and affordable and will develop the brain and sensory system in a complete and natural way. I would like to help as many children as is possible who are struggling or failing in education, and perhaps in life, so they have the equal opportunities to learn with ease, confidence and success. 

Below is a short 2 minute video made by a parent, Andrea Thornton. You may recognise you have the same questions about issues your child may have, and that there is an alternative drug-free and completely natural way to improve neurological connections that are life changing. If you go to Amazon.co.uk there is a 30 minute award-winning film you can buy and download very cheaply with further information and understanding about the importance of primitive reflexes. It will answer many questions you probably have as a parent or school.

Peer reviewed evidence of the benefits of Rhythmic Movements toward learning outcomes in a classroom. Tessa Grigg Ph.D has done some research with a school. Please click on the link if you are interested:  https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/16565

I run specialised, professional and experiential training courses in the primitive reflexes and sensory integration. The courses are hands-on, involve movement and will also give you the opportunity to learn about your own reflexes and level of development at the same time. These are two of the best self development programmes I have ever experienced and I share with people who are interested and who work with child development and learning challenges. Please contact me if you would like to attend my courses or would like to know more.

I teach movements in schools that are performed in the classroom or gym for only 15 minutes a day that provide profound improvements to learning, self-confidence, managing emotions and behaviour which leads to higher grades in end of year exam results. Teachers report they have seen amazing and quick changes in their children with improvements in Reading, Writing, Attention, Focus, Comprehension, being able to sit still for longer and many many more challenges teachers see in their classroom. This will be one of the best and cheapest investments a school can make to help develop children and give them the resources to be able to learn for life. A world of possibilities and opportunities open up when learning becomes easy and successful. ‘I cannot’ becomes ‘I can’ that every teacher works to achieve with their students. Movement is the key to unlocking the ability to learn, and I will be delighted to demonstrate this to any school interested.

Schools / SpLD teachers / LSE’s / Education Department

I would like to introduce you to ‘The Movement Programme’. This has been specifically designed to help children aged between 8 – 13+ years to improve literacy skills and end of year results with clearly proven and lasting results. The programme, designed in 12 modules, is used in schools for 15 – 20 minutes every day, 5 days of the week for 12 weeks. It can also be accessed by parents at home to follow with their children and other family members. Please contact me if you would like to access this successful programme. Please click on the video below to learn more about it. I know the creator of this programme personally.

I give talks and demonstrations about the reflexes and how to recognise the signs in the classroom that most teachers will recognise. I can teach you movements you can take back into the classroom and use straightaway. Please contact me if this interests you.

On the Testimonial page there are many comments from various people, and one particular one from a School’s Inspection Service in the UK. There are comments from my clients, parents, professionals and people that have been on my training courses that have used the techniques back in their schools or practices.

If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please write in the ‘Quick Enquiry’ box at the top on the right.