An Introduction to An Introduction to S.M.A.R.T./BOOST-UPS.M.A.R.T./BOOST-UP

Megan Vander HaarMegan Vander Haar

Michelle Rist Michelle Rist

Paula GordonPaula Gordon

Parents Wonder…Parents Wonder…

Is he ready to start school?Is he ready to start school?

Is she performing well?Is she performing well?

Does he pay attention?Does he pay attention?

Does she listen?Does she listen?

Does he follow directions?Does he follow directions?

Is she keeping up with other kids?Is she keeping up with other kids?

Does he fit-in with others?Does he fit-in with others?

Teachers Wonder…Teachers Wonder…

Why can’t he sit still?Why can’t he sit still?

Why can’t she keep her hands Why can’t she keep her hands

and feet to herself?and feet to herself?

Why can’t he take notes from the board?Why can’t he take notes from the board?

Why can’t she swing a jump rope?Why can’t she swing a jump rope?

Why can’t he keep a beat?Why can’t he keep a beat?

Why is this she unorganized?Why is this she unorganized?

Maybe….Maybe….

Maybe they have Readiness Skill DeficitsMaybe they have Readiness Skill Deficits

By the way…By the way…““If you spin around If you spin around on your chair really on your chair really fast, things around fast, things around here will make a lot here will make a lot more sense.” more sense.” ~Stik-Withit Brand ~Stik-Withit Brand NotesNotes

Maybe…Maybe…

We Can Help…by understanding how a We Can Help…by understanding how a child normally develops learning readinesschild normally develops learning readiness

Motor DevelopmentMotor Development

Primitive ReflexesPrimitive Reflexes Postural ReflexesPostural Reflexes

What is a Reflex?What is a Reflex?

““Reflex action is the deputy of the brain, and Reflex action is the deputy of the brain, and directs myriad movements, thus leaving directs myriad movements, thus leaving the higher powers free to attend to the higher powers free to attend to weightier things.” ~Halleck, 1898weightier things.” ~Halleck, 1898

Primitive ReflexesPrimitive Reflexes

Dictate early movementDictate early movement

Signposts of developmentSignposts of development

The Moro ReflexThe Moro Reflex

Purpose: Arousal- breathing Purpose: Arousal- breathing first breath.first breath.

Symptoms of Retained Symptoms of Retained Moro: Hypersensitivity, Moro: Hypersensitivity, poor adaptability and poor adaptability and dislike of change. dislike of change.

Tonic Labyrinthine ReflexTonic Labyrinthine Reflex

Function of TLR:Function of TLR:Provide the basis for Provide the basis for

head control, balance, head control, balance, postural stability postural stability

Symptoms of Symptoms of Retained TLR:Retained TLR:Postural instability Postural instability

arising from arising from head positionhead position

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)(ATNR)

Functions of ATNR:Functions of ATNR:

turn head to one side so turn head to one side so breathing can take breathing can take place on tummyplace on tummy

Symptoms of Retained Symptoms of Retained ATNR:ATNR:

Problems crossing Problems crossing the midline of the the midline of the body if the head is body if the head is turned to one side,turned to one side,

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)(STNR)

STNR-(same on each STNR-(same on each side)side)Causes Causes upper and lower upper and lower

sections of the body to sections of the body to perform perform oppositeopposite movementsmovements (arms (arms bend, legs straight, bend, legs straight, visa versa)visa versa)

Symptoms of Retained Symptoms of Retained STNR:STNR:Poor upper and lower Poor upper and lower

body integrationbody integration

Rooting and Sucking ReflexesRooting and Sucking Reflexes

The Mouth is the first The Mouth is the first practice ground for practice ground for sensory and motor sensory and motor experience.experience.

Rooting and Sucking ReflexesRooting and Sucking Reflexes

Functions:Functions:

Initiates searching, suck Initiates searching, suck and swallowingand swallowingEnsures Ensures early feedingearly feeding

Symptoms of Retained Symptoms of Retained Suck ReflexSuck ReflexHypersensitivity in the Hypersensitivity in the

oral regionoral region

ContinuedContinued desire for oral desire for oral stimulation-stimulation-

Speech and articulation Speech and articulation difficultiesdifficulties

Palmar and Plantar ReflexesPalmar and Plantar Reflexes

Functions:Functions:Palmar connected to early Palmar connected to early

feedingfeeding

Plantar should be present Plantar should be present when the baby learns to when the baby learns to “commando” crawl,“commando” crawl,

Symptoms of Retained:Symptoms of Retained:

Thumb and finger Thumb and finger opposition difficultyopposition difficultyWriting gripWriting grip

Speech and articulation-Speech and articulation-tend to ‘talk with their tend to ‘talk with their hands, write with their hands, write with their mouth’mouth’

Tendency to ‘Tendency to ‘toe walk’toe walk’

Spinal Galant ReflexSpinal Galant Reflex

Functions: Facilitate movement of baby during birth. Appears to be connected to urinary and intestinal functioning.

If Retained: A need to move, fidget; bedwetting

So…How Does Movement Help?So…How Does Movement Help?

Movement is our first language!Movement is our first language!

Movement Stimulates our SensesMovement Stimulates our Senses

How many senses can you name?How many senses can you name?

Balance: ‘the art of not moving’Balance: ‘the art of not moving’

Balance Through MovementBalance Through Movement

How Balance is TrainedHow Balance is Trained

Signs and Symptoms of Signs and Symptoms of Balance Problems:Balance Problems:

MusicMusicOur Second LanguageOur Second Language

Ok…How do I help all these kids?Ok…How do I help all these kids?

Maybe it’s time to try…Maybe it’s time to try…S.M.A.R.T.S.M.A.R.T.

SStimulating timulating MMaturityaturity

throughthrough

AAccelerated ccelerated RReadiness eadiness TTrainingraining

What Do You Need?What Do You Need?

ResourcesResources

Minnesota Learning and Resource CenterMinnesota Learning and Resource Center Goddard Blythe, Sally. “The Well Balanced Goddard Blythe, Sally. “The Well Balanced

Child”Child” Goddard Blythe, Sally. “Reflexes, Goddard Blythe, Sally. “Reflexes,

Learning and Behavior A Window Into the Learning and Behavior A Window Into the Child’s Mind”Child’s Mind”

www.google.comwww.google.com (images galore…) (images galore…)