PERTH · FACE TO FACE AND ONLINE
STNR Reflex in Children
The STNR, or symmetrical tonic neck reflex, links the movement of a baby’s head with their upper and lower body. It helps a baby get up onto hands and knees, ready to crawl. When it is retained, it is often linked with W sitting, slumped posture and difficulty sitting still at a desk.
Primitive Reflex Integration Practitioner · Brain Gym® Consultant · Qualified primary school teacher · Mum of three
I’m Michele, a Primitive Reflex Integration Practitioner and Brain Gym® Consultant in Perth. This page explains what the STNR is, the signs of a retained STNR, and how integration works.
What is the STNR (symmetrical tonic neck reflex)?
The STNR is one of the primitive reflexes. When a baby on their tummy or hands and knees lifts their head, their arms straighten and their legs bend. When the head drops, the opposite happens: the arms bend and the legs straighten. It is the reflex that helps a baby push up off the floor and into a crawling position.
It appears later than most of the other reflexes, at around 4 to 6 months, and it is usually integrated by around 9 to 11 months, once a baby is crawling well.
You can read about other primitive reflexes on my Moro reflex, ATNR and spinal galant reflex pages.
What is a retained STNR?
When the STNR is retained, the top and bottom halves of the body keep reacting to the position of the head. Think about a child at a desk. Each time they look down at the page, the arms want to bend and the body wants to fold forward. Each time they look up at the board, it changes again. Sitting upright and still takes real effort, so children find other ways to get stable.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Signs I commonly see with a retained STNR
W sitting on the floor
Slumped posture, or lying across the desk to write
Difficulty sitting still at a desk, wrapping the legs around the chair or sitting on one foot
Skipping crawling as a baby, or crawling in an unusual way
Slow or tiring copying from the board
Poor balance and coordination, or seeming clumsy
Messy eating
Every child is different, and there can be many reasons for each of these. If several sound familiar, an assessment can show whether a retained reflex is part of the picture.
AT HOME
Simple things to try at home
- Crawling games: tunnels, obstacle courses and chasing on hands and knees
- Animal walks such as bear walks and crab walks
- Rocking gently forwards and backwards on hands and knees
- Lying on the tummy to read, draw or do puzzles
- Movement breaks during homework, rather than asking for long stretches of sitting still
When a retained STNR is worth getting checked
If posture or sitting still is getting in the way at school, talk to your child’s teacher, and check in with your GP or paediatrician if you have concerns about your child’s development. My work is movement based and sits alongside that support, not instead of it.
WORKING WITH ME
How I can help
In an initial appointment I assess which primitive reflexes are still active, along with brain and body organisation and side dominance. We then work through simple, playful movements in weekly sessions, with “home play” in between. You can see the full process and prices on my services page.
I often combine reflex integration with Brain Gym®, which uses simple movements to help both sides of the brain work together.
QUESTIONS
Common questions
When should the STNR integrate?
The STNR appears at around 4 to 6 months and is usually integrated by around 9 to 11 months, once a baby is crawling well.
My child skipped crawling. Does that mean the STNR is retained?
Not necessarily. Plenty of children skip crawling and have no difficulties at all. It is one of the things I ask about, and an assessment shows whether the reflex is still active.
Is W sitting always a sign of a retained STNR?
No. There can be several reasons a child prefers W sitting, and a retained STNR is one of the links I often see. You can read more on my W sitting page.
How long before we see a difference?
Positive results are usually seen after 5 or 6 weeks. Practising the exercises at home between sessions helps the new pathways strengthen faster.
Do you only see children in Perth?
I see children face to face in Perth and also offer online appointments.
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.