Primitive Reflexes in the Preschool Classroom (Ages 3–5)
By Irene Hannam, MS OTR/L
Primitive reflexes are some of the earliest movements babies use to survive and grow. They help with feeding, rolling, and early interaction with the world. By about one year of age, most reflexes fade as the brain matures. But sometimes they stick around longer than expected.
In preschoolers, retained reflexes can show up as wiggling at circle time, clumsy playground skills, messy coloring, or short attention spans. The good news? With playful movement breaks woven into the school day, we can help students strengthen their bodies and brains—setting the foundation for attention, handwriting, and early learning success.
What Are Primitive Reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are automatic baby movements (like sucking, grasping, rolling) that should fade away in the first year of life. Sometimes, they stick around (“retained”) and make preschoolers look extra wiggly, clumsy, or frustrated with early learning tasks.
Why They Matter in Preschool:
- Sitting still at circle time – retained reflexes = wiggling, sliding, leaning.
- Early pre-writing skills – poor crayon grasp, messy coloring, avoids drawing.
- Playground skills – clumsy with climbing, tripping, avoids swings or balls.
- Attention & emotions – easily startled, short focus, meltdowns.
- Self-help – struggles with dressing, utensil use, or feeding neatly.
Signs a Preschooler Might Be Affected:
- Still uses a tight fist or immature grasp with crayons
- Wiggly in circle time or tips chair constantly
- Avoids tummy time play, crawling games, or climbing
- Gets carsick easily or avoids swings/playground
- Overreacts to sounds, lights, or changes (startle)
- Has trouble following multi-step directions
- Tires quickly during coloring or table work
The Primitive Reflexes & Preschool Impact:
When to Use Movement Breaks in Preschool:
- Arrival time – get bodies ready for the day.
- Before circle/story time – settle wiggles.
- Before fine motor centers (coloring, writing, puzzles).
- After playground – reset regulation.
- Before transitions – prevent meltdowns, improve focus.
Activity Menu for Preschool Classrooms (Play-Based):
Teacher Quick Guide: Preschool:
· When to Break: Morning, before circle, before fine-motor, after playground, before transitions.
· How Long: 2–3 minutes, whole class.
· Format: Keep playful! Use songs, animal themes, story tie-ins.
Why This Works in Preschool:
- Helps kids sit longer at circle
- Builds stronger hands for crayons/scissors
- Improves attention for songs, letters, and early academics
- Reduces meltdowns and startles
- Supports smoother transitions
Sample Schedule:
Sample Whole-Class Activity:
Crawl-Bridge Circuit (4–6 minutes)
Purpose:
A structured 3-station movement circuit that develops postural control, shoulder stability, fine motor readiness, and self-regulation. Activities target retained primitive reflexes (ATNR, STNR, TLR) while providing proprioceptive input to support attention and classroom participation.
Station 1: Bear Crawl Under Bridges
Equipment/Set-Up:
- Use 1–2 sturdy classroom tables as “bridges.”
- Clear a safe crawling path underneath.
Action:
- Students bear crawl (hands/feet on floor, hips high) under the table bridge.
- Keep slow and controlled, looking forward.
Teacher Script: “Crawl under the bridge like a strong bear—hands and feet on the ground, bottoms up high!”
Reflexes Addressed:
- ATNR – supports midline crossing and shoulder stability.
- STNR – strengthens posture for sitting at circle and table work.
Station 2: Push–Pull Builder Work (Proprioceptive Heavy Work)
Equipment/Set-Up:
- Small weighted bin or crate (add books/beanbags)
- Cones or tape line 6–8 feet away.
Action:
- Students push the “builder load” forward to the cone, then pull it back.
- Encourage slow, steady pushes with straight arms.
Teacher Script: “Push the heavy cart of bricks to the cone, then pull it back to the start. Use your big builder muscles!”
Reflexes Addressed:
- Proprioceptive input calms/organizes body for attention.
- Builds shoulder, arm, and core stability to support fine motor and pre-writing.
Station 3: Army Crawl → Prone Puzzle
Equipment/Set-Up:
- Play tunnel or mat space for army crawl.
- Small puzzle or shape sorter placed on floor.
Action:
- Students’ army crawl on bellies to the puzzle.
- In prone on elbows, place 1–2 puzzle pieces before crawling back to start.
Teacher Script: “Slide on your belly like a superhero! Put two pieces in the puzzle, then crawl back to your team.”
Reflexes Addressed:
- TLR – develops antigravity extension, core strength.
- STNR – organizes near–far visual shifts.
- Supports bilateral coordination and fine motor precision.
Student Flow
- Students line up and rotate through stations in sequence (1 → 2 → 3 → back to start).
- Each child spends ~15–20 seconds at a station before moving on.
- Whole circuit takes ~4–6 minutes for the group.
Why It Works:
- Prone crawling & prone on elbows → builds shoulder stability & pre-writing readiness (TLR).
- Quadruped & army crawl → integrates STNR, strengthens bilateral coordination.
- Proprioceptive heavy work → improves regulation, attention, and on-task behavior.
- Class-wide movement microdose → supported by research showing structured sensory-motor activity reduces hyperactivity, improves functional engagement, and decreases retained reflex scores over time (Feldhacker et al., 2021; Melillo et al., 2020).
Final Teacher Script for Running Circuit:
“We’re builders today! Crawl under the bridge, push the heavy cart, then slide on your belly and fit two puzzle pieces. Keep moving until it’s your turn again. Strong bodies build strong brains!”
Summary: In preschool, primitive reflex breaks = short, playful routines woven into circle time, centers, and transitions. They set the foundation for posture, attention, and early learning readiness.
Primitive reflex integration doesn’t require expensive equipment or long therapy sessions. Short, structured, playful activities—like animal walks, belly crawls, or puzzle circuits—help children build the postural control, attention, and fine motor skills they need for success in school.
Whether you’re a parent, preschool teacher, or therapist, embedding these mini movement breaks into the day gives students stronger bodies and brighter minds.
References:
- Feldhacker, D. R., et al. (2021). Primitive reflexes and scholastic performance. JOT Schools & Early Intervention, 14(4), 416–431.
- Gieysztor, E. Z., et al. (2018). Persistence of primitive reflexes in preschool children. Archives of Medical Science, 14(1), 167–173.
- Melillo, R., et al. (2020). Primitive reflex reduction and academic performance in ADHD. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 431835.
- Richards, L., et al. (2022). Retained reflexes and handwriting difficulty. AJOT, 76(Suppl. 1).
Disclaimer
I am an occupational therapist providing information intended to support academic success in students. This resource is designed for teachers, parents, and occupational therapy professionals as a general guide. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should not be used as a substitute for individualized medical care. Please consult appropriate professionals for individual medical or therapeutic concerns.