Primitive reflexes are automatic movements babies are born with that help them survive and develop. They lay the foundation for motor skills, posture and sensory processing before the brain takes over with more mature control. The Hand pulling reflex is seen when you gently pull a baby by the hands from lying down towards sitting their head and core muscles activate, helping them assist in reaching a supported seated position. When this reflex is integrated the child's body understands gravity and engages the core, head and arms engage together to pull up. 

When the hand pulling reflex integrates, it frees the nervous system from relying on immature patterns and allows the higher brain centers to take over that support things like learning and emotional regulation. I'll elaborate...

Learning: Better head and trunk control support eye movements, posture and attention- all critical for reading, writing and classroom focus. 

Emotional Regulation: A strong core, stable body and better sense of self in relation to gravity offer the body and brain a sense of safety. This also allows the body and brain to access higher thinking that is associated with impulse control and more rational thinking. If the body and brain are working overtime to stay upright, there is less mental and physical energy for more cognitively and emotionally demanding tasks. 

In short, postural awareness and head control don't just support motor skills, they build the foundation for focus, calm and confidence in daily life. 

• A child who "slouches" or often leans against you or other objects
• A child who appears more "lazy" or floppy
• Clumsiness/ poor coordination
• Trouble judging force: slams doors, presses to hard or lightly with pencil etc
• Trouble sitting still during focused tasks
• Poor fine motor skills
• May also have a poor sense of self or low self esteem (sense of "unbelonging")

SEE VIDEO DEMONSTRATIONS BELOW FOR TESTING AND INTEGRATION ACTIVITIES

We can integrate this reflex through neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire with repeated, specific practice. When kids perform repetitive motor patterns that challenge the body against gravity, the brain strengthens the pathways needed for postural control and replaces immature, reflex-driven patterns with more efficient ones.

What makes neuroplastic change stick:

• Repetition: small sets, frequent days. (think 5 minutes, twice per day each day)

• Specificity: patterns that target trunk flexion/extension and smooth “pull-to-sit” sequencing.

• Graded challenge: just enough difficulty to require control (not strain or speed).

Simple activities (no special gear):

• “Big-kid tummy time” (prone on forearms/hands while doing floor activity such as puzzle) → builds anti-gravity strength through shoulders/core.

• Superman pose (prone extension) → strengthens back line to balance trunk flexion work (try tossing a ball back and forth in this position)

• Animal walks (bear, crab, inchworm, wheelbarrow) → heavy work for proprioception + endurance.

• Rocking/swinging (front–back, gentle spins as tolerated) → vestibular input to organize posture.

  How you’ll know it’s working (watch for these):

  ~Smoother floor-to-sit transitions without yanking with the arms

• Less slouching/head-in-hand at the table; better stamina for sitting upright

• Overall more coordinated/ less floppy movement patterns

Common pitfalls (easy fixes):

• Going too fast → slow the tempo; quality over reps.

• Child pulls with arms → cue ribs toward hips and “blow out candles” on the way up.

Educational only; not medical advice. If your child has a history of concussion, uncontrolled seizures, significant dizziness, or joint instability, check with your pediatrician/OT before starting.