Empowering parents, educators, and pediatric professionals to support kids through big emotions and challenging behaviors.

What Is Reflex Integration—And Why Does It Matter for Preschoolers?
Before children can sit for circle time, write their names, or follow classroom routines,
their bodies need a strong foundation for healthy neurodevelopment. That foundation
starts with reflex integration.

Primary or primitive reflexes are automatic movements babies are born with, like the
rooting reflex that helps them find milk, or the hand grasp reflex that makes them wrap
their fingers tightly around yours. These early movements may seem small, but they
play a big role in your child’s neurological growth. They show how the brain and body
are working together and reassure us that development is on track.

As children grow, those baby reflexes are meant to “integrate,” or mature into the
motor skills, thinking abilities, and emotional control needed for everyday life. But
sometimes, a reflex doesn’t fully complete its job, and that can show up in surprising
ways.

A Preschooler with Unintegrated Reflexes Might:

• Fidget or constantly move during circle time or meals
• Slouch, lean, or tire quickly when sitting upright
• Struggle with tasks like cutting, drawing, or putting on clothes
• Bump into things or seem unaware of where their body is in space
• React strongly to transitions, touch, or unexpected sounds
• Have big emotional responses that seem out of proportion
• Avoid eye contact or seem “in their own world” when overwhelmed

When we support reflex integration through purposeful movement and play, we’re
helping the brain and body complete these early patterns—so kids can move, think,
and feel with more ease. It’s like closing the loops that were left open.

For Preschoolers, Reflex Integration Helps Build:

• Stronger posture and better body awareness
• Smoother coordination and more confident movement
• Calmer emotions and greater self-regulation
• Easier transitions and improved focus during play and group time

In short, it helps children feel more comfortable and confident in their own bodies,
ready to learn, connect, and thrive.

Reflex integration looks like play!

We use our imaginations and keep it engaging. We might pretend to be animals, roll
like logs, move to rhythm, and explore gentle sensory input, all of which help the brain
organize itself.

For children who need a bit more support, some of this work takes place on a therapy
table, which I call Table Time. I use a gentle, hands-on approach to help the child’s
body passively learn proper movements that make the nervous system feel safe and
connected. We usually sing, listen to audio stories, and chat. Many children naturally
open up during Table Time, sharing thoughts or expressing feelings as their bodies
start to feel more at ease.

Curious if Reflex Integration Could Help Your Child?
I offer a 10-minute Reflex Integration Screening for DJP families, to help parents
understand whether retained reflexes might be affecting their child’s attention,
coordination, or regulation for $35.00.

This is not an assessment, just a gentle, play-based look at early movement patterns
that can provide valuable insight and next steps.

If you’ve noticed challenges with focus, big emotions, or sensory sensitivities, this brief
screening can help identify whether reflex integration might be a missing piece of the
puzzle.

Ready to get started? Register here!
If you’d like to schedule a Reflex Integration Screening for your child, you can complete
the short parent questionnaire and $35 payment here:
 bemindfulish.com/reflex-integration-screening-parent-questionnaire

This simple form helps us learn more about your child’s brain-body connections and
how we can best support their growth and regulation—playfully and purposefully.