What are Primitive Reflexes?

September 17, 2024 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

Primitive reflexes are automatic, stereotyped movements directed from the brainstem and executed without cortical involvement. These reflexes are crucial for a newborn’s survival and development, but are typically integrated or inhibited as the nervous system matures.

Examples of Primitive Reflexes

Moro Reflex: Often called the “startle reflex,” it’s triggered by sudden movements or loud noises.
Palmar Grasp Reflex: Causes an infant to close their hand around anything that touches their palm.
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR): Also known as the “fencing posture,” it’s observed when the infant’s head turns to one side.
Rooting Reflex: Helps the infant find the nipple for feeding when their cheek is stroked.

Why are Primitive Reflexes Important?

Understanding primitive reflexes is crucial for several reasons:

They provide insight into an infant’s neurological development.
Persistent reflexes beyond the typical age of integration may indicate developmental issues.
They form the foundation for more complex motor skills and cognitive functions.

Integration of Primitive Reflexes

As a child’s brain and body develops, these reflexes should naturally integrate into more mature movement patterns and advanced neurological functioning. However, sometimes this integration process is incomplete due to stressors on the infants system. This can lead to various challenges in learning, behaviour, and physical coordination.

Some potential Signs of Unintegrated Reflexes

Poor fine motor and gross motor skills – balance and coordination
Difficulty with reading or writing
Hypersensitivity of sensory systems such as sight (eg. bright lights), sound (eg. distracted or disturbed by loud noises), touch (eg. doesn’t like labels, socks or feelings of clothing)
Emotional sensitivity or difficulty regulating emotions
Challenges with attention and focus, sitting on the mat at school
Thumb sucking, speech and articulation problems
Bedwetting, toileting issues after potty training or inability to become toilet trained

How to help integrate Primitive Reflexes

Integrating retained primitive reflexes requires doing daily exercises specifically designed to properly integrate the reflex. For example, exercises need to be done at least once or twice daily over months in order to retrain the body, and for the brain to form new pathways.

To learn more go to my Services page or you can register your interest through my booking page to see how I can help your child.

Early Childhood Brain Development

September 9, 2024 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

Did You Know? 🧠
The right side of the brain develops first at around 3 – 4 years. The left brain, on the other hand, doesn’t fully come online until children are approximately 7 years old.

What Does This Mean? 🤔

The right side is the creative, imaginative, side, where empathy and intuition is favoured. Children there fore do what feels good for them, right there and then and cannot always explain why.

The left sides function is language, numeracy, literacy, analysis, logic, planning and time. ⏰📝

The Importance of Play
Understanding this, we can better appreciate why play is so important for little children, where the process is far more important than the product. 🧩

How to nurture your child’s Right Brain 💛✨
– Give them lots of play
– Allow time to explore
– Don’t focus on outcomes or long-term consequences
– Importantly, label and acknowledge their feelings/intuitions. Providing words, builds pathways for the left side of the brain.

Helping a Transitioning Brain
Sing to them! The words are processed in the left brain, while tune and melody are processed in the right brain.

A rewarding time to apply this is during routine activities. If you’ve asked them to put their shoes on 2 or 3 times and they’re not listening, sing it to them. 🎶🎶 It will tune in ‘their’ brain. It will also benefit you as you will be using your right side of the brain and this will bring more joy to the situation for you too. 💞

Gentle Parenting

September 9, 2020September 9, 2020 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

Recently I have been using some Brain Gym® exercises to effectively help with parenting our little ones.

These 3 exercises can be done almost simultaneously and they can be done anywhere, anytime to bring a sense of calm and clarity to any situation in less than 15 seconds.

Belly Breathing: Breathing slow and deep calms the nervous system and supplies the brain and body with the oxygen required for thinking clearly. Quite often in stressful situations we hold our breath. Instead, we need to make a conscious effort to take a deep breath in, until the belly expands and ensure we fully empty the lungs to allow all the fresh oxygen to come in with the next inhalation.
Positive Points: In Brain Gym® we gently place hands across the forehead as there are pressure points located here. By holding the ‘positive points’, it brings energy to the frontal lobe, this part of the brain is responsible for logical thinking. In doing this exercise the brain is able to think creatively of new solutions without the emotions being involved.
Repeat a mantra. This is not a Brain Gym® exercise, however we all know how useful positive self-talk / affirmations can be. I chose ‘I am stronger than this’ because it is what works for me. When in the heat of the moment if I am able to think logically about getting wound up over a situation with a little being, I realise- I am stronger than this. Asking myself, do I need to be wound up over this? Reminding myself I am the role model here, I need to be the stronger person, in control and calm so that I can help this little being that is having a hard time.

Find a mantra that works for you and have a go next time you’re feeling reactive.

Tips and timing for being at home with school children.

March 28, 2020 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

I’ve had a few questions around timings and activities so thought it would be valuable to share some specifics of what we are doing. Please note I am seeing this time as a maintenance of learning, a time for coming together and being together in a happy, calm space. Not putting pressure on myself or the kids. If you’re after amazing learning lesson ideas there are probably better places to look. Realistic and simple is probably more achievable for me at this time. I’m sure we’ll throw in some really cool learning along the way but not my goal for everyday.

Lesson times should be short. Having one on one ‘teaching’ time is far more effective and valuable but also intense for children. 20 – 40 minute blocks are sufficient for primary aged children. If you can do 3 to 5, 20 to 40 minute blocks that is great. If you can do more wonderful.

We do a literacy block : spelling, writing, grammar, handwriting (options).

Math block, followed by a math game: snakes and ladders, dice, board games, etc.

Then science / technology: anything you can mix or make falls into this category.

AND / OR art/ music/ creative. OR finish with a block of children’s choice.

🌿Everyday play outside.

📚Everyday read books. You read, they read, ask questions to ensure understanding and keeps them interested.

🧠We start everyday with Brain Gym, this helps us focus and get into the right space for learning, communicating, sharing and generally just being in each other’s company.

If you’re trying to work from home yourself. I think setting aside these 20 – 40 minute blocks where you are attentive and put aside work/ issues/ stress will help children feel satisfied and more likely to play or do tasks happily and independently afterwards.

When to work- when they’re eating, when they have screen lead learning, when they have play time. If you’re sitting at the same table and they are working independently it may be tempting to go back to your work and this may be okay but be mindful it’s ‘their time’ so you quickly go back to them if they need help. If you are clear with them it’s their time, when it’s ‘your time’ to work they are more likely to leave you to be. Having clear times helps with expectations.

🌟I think having a ‘choice’ block is most important for working parents as it’s a time for you all to be together without pressure or expectation of learning etc.🌟

I only have one child in school with 2 littlies. If you have older ones in school, the older ones could be responsible for helping younger ones or setting them fun tasks… If they can do this then they can try educational tasks.

Mine make treasure hunts and obstacle courses for each other.

Work our what is possible for your family. If you have any questions get in touch, I’m more than happy to help. 💛

The Vagus Nerve

September 26, 2019 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

Vagus Nerve, Vagus Nerve, Vagus Nerve

Say it with me now 😆🤗

These words have been floating around catching my attention here and there. I have finally looked into it and I’m mind blown, and I’m wishing I’d taken notice earlier! 🤓

So what is the vagus nerve? It is the longest nerve in the body which starts from the brain as a cranial nerve and travels down through the neck, passes through the digestive system, liver, spleen, pancreas, heart and lungs. This nerve is a major part of our parasympathetic system, which is the rest and digest part, (opposite to the sympathetic nervous system- fight and flight).

The most interesting thing I have learnt about the vagus nerve is its role in reading the gut microbiome and responding to moderate inflammation based on whether it detects pathogenic organisms versus non- pathogenic organisms. 🤯 🤔 This therefore explains why the gut microbiome can have an affect on your mood, stress levels and overall inflammation.

High vagal tone is associated with a better mood, less anxiety and more stress resilience. High vagal tone also improves the function of body systems, resulting in better heart function, improved digestion and better blood sugar regulation. Lower vagal tone is there fore associated with cardiovascular conditions and strokes, diabetes, depression, fatigue and inflammatory conditions.

Booooom, so lets increase our vagal tone!!!

How do we do it??

💨 Slow, rhythmic and deep breathing- deep down to diagram (rather than shallow, chest breathing) as this stimulates the vagus nerve.

🎵 Speaking and humming as the vagus nerve is connected to the vocal cords.

☺️ Meditation

🦠 Balancing the gut micro biome with healthy bacteria.

💦 Washing your face with cold water.

I think this explains why meditation and slow breathing practices makes us feel so damn good. Get on board peeps!

Stress and Healing

August 13, 2019 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

On my journey to embody family wellness I feel like what is currently big for me is remaining calm (trying my best 😬). Remaining calm within my body… feeling at ease, and remaining calm whilst in the midst of stressful moments with the kids.

But how do we do this??? This is an ongoing practise for me. Less stress = More calm.

I feel there are layers to combating stress because that’s what will help us feel more calm.

-The outer layer is the easy stuff like having enough sleep, food and water.

-Then below that, you have things you have to make a conscious effort at, like deep, slow breathing and exercise, both vigorous and calming (yoga/ meditation). Spending time doing things you enjoy, like being in nature.

-Now we’re into the gritty stuff, the stuff that requires real thought and reflection…

What is triggering your stress in this situation??

For example I am frustrated at the kids for taking so long and I’m loosing it with them but deep down if I think about it I am feeling guilty because I haven’t done enough to prepare and I myself still have things to do and this realisation is stressing me out. Or another example is getting angry at a child when they’re acting out in a shop because you are (feeling self-conscious) and more worried about what onlookers might be thinking.

Are you really being present?

My number 2 doesn’t have a lot of patience (which is normal for a child but number one was far more forgiving). So when she says ‘Mum, look at my picture’ once or twice but I’m too caught up in my thoughts or what I’m doing and I hear it but it doesn’t quite register. She then says it again and again without a break, yelling at me- I then snap back ‘what!’ and I’m frustrated at her for yelling at me, even though it was my fault for not being more present and out of my own thoughts.

Being present and understanding what is triggering our stress responses are valuable tools in staying calm.

It is vital to then recover from these behaviours – for my first example: “Sorry I yelled, I’ve realised how many things I still need to do”. When you realise what you’re doing it does make it easier to try and get a grip on it.

If there are layers to stress I believe there are layers to healing as well.

Perhaps your body is feeling stressed because of a poor diet and gut issues. Perhaps your body is full of toxins. Healing these things through dietary changes and detoxification will help resolve some stress.

Perhaps your body is feeling stressed because it is out of whack and you need to see a chiropractor or physiotherapist.

Perhaps your body is feeling stressed because you are carrying emotional burdens. Seek help, talking to friends, family or even professionals will help resolve some of the stress.

(Brain Gym and the educational kinesiology practises are able to assist in identifying and resolving all of the above stressors and I would be more than happy to work with you- so get in touch if this interests you).

What are you doing to heal? Time for yourself? Massage? 💆‍♀️ Talking to a psychologist? Time outdoors? 🌿

If EVERY BODY (man and woman) were taking ongoing steps to heal I believe the world would be a much happier place. We would feel less stressed and the children in our world would also be much happier and at ease.

Boobie Smoothie

June 24, 2019June 24, 2019 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

Most breastfeeding mums would have heard of ‘Boobie Bikkies’. If you haven’t, you must be one of the lucky mums that has never had an issue with milk supply. I’m onto my third breastfed baby and thankfully each one has got easier. Breastfeeding in itself didn’t come easy for my first, then add food sensitivities (yes through my breastmilk) and then add supply concerns. (I think that a lot of my supply concerns were just my lack of belief in my own body’s ability). On to my third, doubts are all gone, however, there are definitely still times that I haven’t eaten or drunk enough for whatever reason and this results in a lower supply of milk.

Hurray for ‘Boobie Bikkies’. Pinky McCay formulated a recipe (and actually makes the biscuits too) to help breastfeeding mothers with their energy / nutrient intake and increase milk supply.

However, now on number three I don’t always make time for baking and I’m also conscious about gluten / dairy / sugar. I found myself trialling different recipes to make the biscuits a bit ‘healthier’. I’m not implying the biscuits are unhealthy because they do have gluten and dairy free options, but just wanted to improve them a little. The raw dough is also said to be more effective than the cooked sooo I got the thinking… Why not just add the vital ingredients (oats, flax seeds and brewers yeast) into a smoothie!!

Enter the Boobie Smoothie!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 I couldn’t believe the effectiveness… Made it in the afternoon and by morning va va vooom. 🐄 I think the effectiveness is also increased because being a smoothie you are including food and liquid in one. I wish I had thought of this with the first baby, it would have saved a lot of worries about supply.

Quick. Easy. Modify to whatever flavour you like. No sugar. No flour. No dairy. Win. Win. Absolute win.

I include the Juice Plus ‘Complete’ protein powder as this adds a whole lot of other nutrients and it also tastes amazing. See this link for more information on the Complete protein shakes.

Below is the base recipe. Then add other fruit/ ingredients for different flavours.

Boobie Smoothie

1/4 cup oats
1 to 2tsp flax seeds
1 to 2tsp brewers yeast
1 cup of rice milk or alternative
1 Complete sachet (If not using you may like to include nuts, dates / honey or other nutritional boosters)

Blitz until smooth. Enjoy 😋

Additions / flavours

Handful of spinach and 1 Frozen banana with vanilla sachet.

Frozen blueberries with chocolate sachet

or strawberry, raspberry, mango, apple, pear… the list goes on and on!

Please share this with your breastfeeding friends or family members to make their life so much simpler.

Men’s Health

June 10, 2019 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

This week: 10th – 16th June is Men’s Health Week 👊🏻

From the picture you can see there is some seriously scary statistics for men – especially in the work place. Mental health awareness for men is definitely growing, however I think there is still a long way to go.

As a mum I often see the memes and sayings about being a mum and how hard it is. There’s one I love which compares raising children 20 years ago to now… Now it’s all about free range, organic, attached but not helicopter parents, ensuring we cater to physical, intellectual, social and emotional needs etc 😱😂 and it’s soooo true! There’s so much information out there and with social media, it has become so easy to compare! But we forget that everyone is doing something but no one is doing everything. We put the pressure on ourselves to meet these often unattainable expectations.

What is NOT talked about so much though, is the men’s role. I feel as though today’s men have it just as tough. We want them to be strong leaders that earn good money. They’re expected to work all day, then come home and help with chores. They need to be able to do the repairs around the house and on the car. After all that they need to be around for the family and be hands on dads. It’s a lot of roles for them to also fill. We expect men nowadays to be more sensitive, respectful and communicative but we still want them to be the strong, tough, protective and not weak.

Us women get to have a wine and a winge to friends about how tough we’ve had it and we support each other by venting and talking it out. Men do not as easily express themselves and are not always around other men that can also easily communicate, problem solve and express themselves.

Have I got it all wrong though?!? I’m sure there are men out there filling all the roles and requirements (if you’ve got one- give them an extra pat on the back because I think they’re pretty rare).

Either way, now is a good opportunity for me to give a shout out to the man that looks after us. I’m always bagging him out but rarely say the good things 😬 He is such a hard working, loyal man, who’s always making us laugh! 🤗 Today or this week let the men in your life know you love them, care for them and respect them. Let them know they have a safe space with us to vent their feelings if they’re feeling pressured to fill ALL the roles. Their mental health, which determines physical health is important to us and to everyone.

We all need to look after each other🤝 🤗😘

All the Goodness

April 14, 2019April 20, 2020 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

My secret weapon in feeling full of life… A capsule full of goodness.

I was introduced Juice Plus over a year ago. A close friend started on the products and I was watching her flourish, I had not prioritised the expense and kept putting it off. Then I fell pregnant, as I was progressing through my third pregnancy I felt more and more drained. I was feeling grumpy with the kids most the time and getting out of bed was such an effort, despite being a morning person. Not fun. I got to the point where I knew something had to be done. I was already taking pregnancy vitamins, iron and vitamin C but still feeling rubbish. So I thought I would give Juice Plus a try.

One of the ladies that I heard about Juice Plus from, spoke about her success with her autoimmune condition. 10 years ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition affecting my blood platelets and my body’s ability to clot as well as my energy levels. Over the years I have learnt how diet can impact greatly on autoimmune conditions and general well-being. Even with the best eating habits over the last 4 years I haven’t seen much of a change to my platelets and energy levels. Within 3 weeks of taking the Juice Plus capsules my platelets increased by 18, which is significant and went to 98 (only been this high once or twice ever in my history of testing).

After 3 months I began to realise all the gradual changes that had been occurring. I was waking up and getting out of bed straight away, I was joking and playing with the kids more and generally feeling pretty good. I was doing more and more as my pregnancy progressed because I was full of energy. I had a quick recovery from the birth and even with broken nights sleep every night, I had zero brain fog.

The results are awesome considering it is just fruit and vegetables. There is a growing gap in between what our body needs and what we get, given our fast paced, high stress society and mediocre quality of fresh produce. Then there’s Juice Plus: A wholefood, plant based supplement with absolutely no nasties that has a variety of over 30 different fruits and veggies everyday! Unlike synthetic supplements the body recognises all of the ingredients in the capsules and can there fore easily absorb all the nutrients effectively.

Now as a breastfeeding mumma I am able to supplement my diet with ‘Complete’ – a whole food, plant based, shake mix. This gives me the iron and nutrients I need to keep my body fuelled and ready for action as a mum of 3.

The process in which the ingredients are encapsulated is what really sold me. It has now become part of my passion to share these products with others so they can feel the amazing benefits too. Just as the results from the capsules took me by surprise, so did the community I became part of. Women supporting women, with a focus on personal growth, connecting with and helping others to become their best. Being surrounded by like minded people has been so inspiring and keeps me on track with my purpose and passion.

For more information on the products check out the Juice Plus page.

Update

November 17, 2017January 5, 2019 ~ Michele Henrick ~ Leave a comment

Well it’ been over a year since my last blog!! 😱 I thought I would have restarted a month or two after Oleena was born but with building a house, doing the bookwork for my husbands electrical business, training in Educational Kinesiology and raising two small kids, it just didn’t happen.

The blog started as a way for me to share what I have learnt about the digestive health. It actually made me accountable in those final few (and most important) weeks of my pregnancy with Oleena. I continued with a dairy, sugar and gluten free diet for the first few months of Oleenas life with me breastfeeding and this all seemed to have paid off. I introduced new foods into my diet while breastfeeding and Oleena had no adverse reactions. Then when introducing foods to her, I chose to hold off on gluten and dairy until after 6 months when I believe her stomach was strong enough, and sure enough she didn’t have any reactions- only some minor changes in her diaper which is totally normal when they are processing new foods. It could have been the diet, delaying introduction or different genetic make-up (or it could be all the factors combined) that has resulted in Oleena having significantly better food tolerance than Finlay.

As mentioned something else I have been up to over the last year is training in Educational Kinesiology ‘Brain Gym®’. Researching into natural healing, being a teacher and graduate of Sport Science, Brain Gym® has been a very natural progression and combines all my passions together. Now that I am a qualified Brain Gym® Consultant I am turning my passion into a business and can work one on one or small group sessions helping both children and adults heal their body, mind and spirit and assist them to achieve their goals. Head over to the ‘Brain Gym’ page for more information.

I will continue to discuss and share information on nutrition and digestive health but will also be including information on Brain Gym®, brain and body functioning… Encompassing whole body well-being!

Michele xox