Making Primitive Reflex and Developmental Exercises Fun!

Helping kids with developmental exercises doesn’t have to feel like work! By turning therapy into playtime, you can engage your child in activities that feel like fun but deliver meaningful progress. Whether you’re working on primitive reflex integration, building core strength, or improving motor skills, adding a playful twist can make all the difference.

For the last few months, we’ve been creating FREE themed exercise PDFs to support families in making these activities engaging and effective. These resources include fun physical exercises designed to:

• Help integrate primitive reflexes.
• Build core strength.
• Encourage breathwork for calming and focus.
• Improve gross and fine motor skills.

Here are a few creative ways to make developmental exercises fun and incorporate them into your daily routine:

Turn Exercises Into Obstacle Courses

Design a simple obstacle course at home or in the backyard. You can include movements like:

• Crawling under chairs (to target the crawling reflex).
• Jumping over pillows (to build coordination and core strength).
• Balancing on one foot on a taped line (to improve gross motor skills).

Time your child as they complete the course and encourage them to beat their own record.

Play Simon Says

Classic games like Simon Says are perfect for sneaking in developmental exercises. For example:

• “Simon says crawl like a crab across the room.”
• “Simon says hold a plank position.”
• “Simon says spin in a circle and freeze like a statue.”
  This activity not only integrates movement but also builds listening and focus skills.

Create Animal-Themed Movements

Kids love pretending to be animals! These movements are not only fun but also beneficial for reflex integration:

• Bear crawls (on hands and feet) help with core strength and motor coordination.
• Frog jumps (hopping forward) engage the core and legs.
• Butterfly breaths (pretending to flap wings while inhaling and exhaling deeply) encourage calm and regulate the nervous system.

Use Music and Dance

Put on your child’s favorite music and incorporate reflex exercises into a dance party! For instance:

• Dance in a figure-eight pattern to improve coordination.
• Include spinning and swaying motions to integrate the vestibular system.

Get Creative with Themed Activities

Try using our free exercise PDFs to guide your child through themed activities. For example, if the PDF is holiday-themed, you can:

• Pretend to be reindeer crawling through the snow.
• Practice balance by “carrying” a gift (a small pillow) on their head.
• Do “snowman stretches” to reach the sky and touch the floor.

These activities feel like imaginative play but are designed to support developmental growth.

Make It a Family Affair

Kids are more likely to engage in exercises when the whole family joins in! Challenge siblings or parents to participate in the activities, making it a bonding experience.

Don’t Miss Our Free Resource!
Our latest themed PDF is packed with easy-to-follow instructions for exercises that support primitive reflex integration, build strength, and improve motor skills. With these tools, therapy can feel like play! Find it here!