A child’s developmental level, not just the chronological age, is vital to learning success. Developmental maturity demonstrates that the brain is able to take in sensory information and then process the information in the higher cortical areas of the brain. We are all meant to be born with certain primitive reflexes established. These primitive reflexes assist the mother and baby through the birth process. They then allow the baby to adjust to life outside the womb and to begin the process of training the body and the brain to work together. Typically, these reflexes are inhibited and replaced by more advanced postural reflexes sometime between 6 months - 3 years of age.

Follow up:

In order for a child to succeed in school, he must have established balance and adequate motor skills. If a child has not established balance, they will not be able to sit still and attend. Without adequate motor skills, the child may not have established visual or auditory pathways in order to understand written or spoken information nor have adequate fine motor skills necessary for writing.

A multitude of diagnoses can result from primitive reflexes which have not been appropriately inhibited or postural reflexes which have not been firmly developed and can include ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, neurodevelopmental delays, cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum diagnoses, speech delays, auditory processing, hearing problems, visual processing problems, clumsy child syndrome, dyscalculia, and many others.

Wonderful resources for learning more about helping your child to become developmentally ready for academic success include:
Attention, Balance and Coordination the A.B.C. of Learning Success by Sally Goddard Blythe
The Well Balanced Child Movement and Early Learning by Sally Goddard Blythe
Interactive Metronome Therapy