Rhythmic movement is an important part of my approach to supporting children’s neurological development, primitive reflex integration and nervous system regulation.
Throughout our sessions, children participate in a variety of purposeful movements and activities designed to develop coordination, balance, body awareness and motor control. Towards the end of each session, I incorporate gentle rhythmic movements to help their bodies slow down and transition into a calmer state.
Key takeaways
- Rhythmic movements involve gentle, repetitive and patterned movements of the body.
- Towards the end of each session, I incorporate gentle rhythmic movements to help their bodies slow down and transition into a calmer state.
- Rhythmic movement is also used in some primitive reflex integration approaches.
- Every child is different, so I adjust the movements to suit their individual needs and responses.
How does rhythmic movement work?
Rhythmic movements involve gentle, repetitive and patterned movements of the body. These movements provide the brain with consistent sensory feedback, helping children develop body awareness and supporting the communication between the brain and body.
Rhythmic movement is also used in some primitive reflex integration approaches. Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns that emerge during early development and typically become inhibited as the brain and nervous system mature.
When these reflexes remain active beyond their expected developmental period, they may be associated with difficulties in areas such as posture, coordination, balance and motor control.
Gentle, repetitive movements can be incorporated into a broader programme of reflex-focused activities to support neurological development and more controlled movement patterns.
Why I use rhythmic movement at the end of a session
Many of the activities children participate in during a session involve concentration, physical effort, coordination and sensory processing.
I finish sessions with rhythmic movements because I want children to leave feeling calm, settled and organised.
The repetitive nature of these movements provides a predictable sensory experience that can help children:
- Slow down after physical activity.
- Develop greater awareness of their body.
- Support relaxation and nervous system regulation.
- Transition from an active state into a calmer state.
- Experience gentle, controlled movement.
Every child is different, so I adjust the movements to suit their individual needs and responses.
“I finish sessions with rhythmic movements because I want children to leave feeling calm, settled and organised.”
Michele Henrick, Embody Family Wellness
A calm ending to support development
I believe that supporting children’s development involves more than simply teaching them new movement skills. It is also about helping them understand their bodies, develop control over their movements and recognise when they need to slow down.
By incorporating rhythmic movements into the end of each session, I provide children with an opportunity to finish on a calm and positive note while continuing to support their movement and sensory development.
You can see how sessions with me run on my services page.
What parents say
★★★★★ 5.0 from 3 Google reviews.
★★★★★
“Michele identified some unintegrated reflexes and gave us some simple, easy to do at home exercises … From the first session we saw less reactivity; and from consistently doing the exercises at home my daughter can now remain calm in situations that would previously have caused a lot of distress.”
Analise Mongan, Google review
Not sure where to start?
You are welcome to get in touch for a free phone chat about what you are noticing in your child.
