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Understanding W-Sitting: Causes and Solutions for Your Child

Does your child sit in this position?

This is known as “w-sitting”. You may or may not have heard that it’s not a great position for the hips, or that it’s “bad”.

Your child sits like this because they are comfortable sitting like this.

I’m about to tell you what causes a child to sit like this. I will explain what consequences it may have for attention and learning. I also will explain what you can do to help them.

Why do some children prefer w-sitting?

This W position is very comfortable for a child with a weak core. Your child may have been diagnosed with hypermobility – or perhaps not. They may fall over frequently, they may get exhausted easily compared to their peers. In class, they will find it hard to sit comfortably in a chair. They might keep experimenting with several different positions in one sitting. They never truly feel comfortable with their feet flat on the floor.

W-sitting is a classic sign of an unintegrated STNR (Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex).

Observing Typical development

This wonderful video demonstrates beautifully how it *should* happen, within the appropriate developmental window:

Let me make a very important point:

Merely stopping a child from w-sitting will not address the neurological cause, and will not address the knock-on effects of having poor core stability, nor the future problems it may cause.

Here’s a real-life example, which at the time produced several hilarious memes. Jacob Rees-Mogg looked like someone with an STNR reflex when he famously slumped around during Brexit debates.

I was talking to my son’s teacher when he was in Reception. She told me that there is a noticeable reduction in stamina and core strength in children these days. A large proportion of children in Reception classes are unable to support themselves when sitting or drawing. They struggle at a table or even on the mat during story time.

Why this epidemic?

Well… we are simply not allowing our children to move enough. We are restricting movement by using “equipment” and props. Some babies end up sitting in car seats for hours at a time, or end up in jumparoos, Bumbos, or even being “worn” for longer than absolutely necessary. Later on, children tend to move less, glued to screens for long periods of time. Play areas are now hyper-safe, with protection against knocks, bumps etc. When I was growing up, most children had a scab on their knees several times a term – for example, we were allowed to take roller skates to school – and accidents on skates, other than the odd bleeding knee, were very rare.

What babies REALLY need is to be given plenty of floor time and as children, plenty of opportunities to explore surroundings, in order to work out how to organise their bodies for themselves, how to integrate their reflexes and move on to the next stage of development – unprompted.

After all, if you help a chick hatch, it will fail to thrive.

So, what causes w-sitting?

As I’ve mentioned, w-sitting is a symptom of a weak core. It is likely that a child will have skipped a stage of development. It is almost certain that these children will have an active STNR (Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex), which is a transitional reflex that follows the Moro, TLR and ATNR. It emerges at around four to six months of age and integrates between nine to twelve months of age – but only if rolling, sitting, rocking on hands and knees, crawling, pulling to standing and walking have happened within an appropriate timeframe.

Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex and w-sitting

The STNR reflex allows a child to understand arm, leg and body movements without moving the head. It also affects the development of binocular vision and binaural hearing.

Children who have never integrated the STNR often have learning challenges. When I say challenges, these need not necessarily be obvious. These children find it hard to sit in chairs or at tables, often slumped, with their legs wrapped around the legs of their chair for support, and can find themselves copying from a board slower than peers who do not have this reflex retained.

STNR Reflex and Vision

The other striking difference to note between my own year 6 class photo and my son’s year 6 class photo is this: In 1983, only one child in the class was wearing glasses. This was quite unusual. In my son’s year 6 class (taken a couple of years ago), about a third of the children wear glasses. This is because w-sitting is also linked to challenges with near-to-far vision.

Having an active STNR often means that vision and hearing senses have not properly developed. STNR children often find sport a challenge as their hand-eye coordination tends to be poor due to not developing sufficient connections between the left and right hemispheres, which will affect reading and writing.

It is also important to know that just because someone has a six pack, it doesn’t mean that their STNR has integrated. Reflex integration will not happen unless the body re-patterns in a specific way. So, no, I do not want to see your abs as proof of your core strength, thank you.

The STNR reflex can be integrated using the rhythmic movement patterns observed in foetuses and new-borns. You may be able to help by allowing your child to MOVE as nature intended – take them to the park, get them to walk around in a crab position, get them to wheel themselves around on their tummy on a skateboard, get them to use a balance ball, try family yoga classes or ballet…

In order for the STNR to integrate fully, it is sensible to look at what else is active and work through a movement programme to help the brain make the appropriate neural connections. These movements can take as little as five minutes a day.

For a one-hour 1:1 online consultation with me, or to book a free 20 minute discovery call, or an appointment at my clinic (and yes – I do work with adults too!), you can book here.

Please note that I can only give pointers online – I can only work effectively with clients in-person.

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I am a qualified Rhythmic Movement Training International practitioner and trainee trainer.

FPR: Fear Paralysis Reflex Moro reflex Neuroplasticity retained reflexes retained reflexes Spinal Galant Reflex Uncategorized

The vital role of parents in Primitive Reflex Integration programmes

In the years I’ve been working with neuroplasticity and primitive reflex integration programmes, I’ve lost count of the number of parents who want to know the % their child’s reflexes are retained, as well as exactly which reflexes are retained.

Primitive reflex integration

It is really important to know that we are not JUST looking at an exact percentage! We’re looking at the full picture. In fact, I do not even NEED to test a child’s (or their parent’s) reflexes in order to start working with them – I can see what I need to do by the time they’ve sat down in the room. The reflex tests are really only for the benefit of watching progress – but we also do that by watching behaviour, emotions and cognition from the time a child heads off with a new set of movements to work with.

Additionally, it’s important to understand that if we do not see a reflex reaction when we test, it doesn’t mean it’s not there: we also look at whether a body is compensating and trying to hide the presence of a reflex (very common in children with a strong fear paralysis reflex). It’s also possible that a reflex has not even emerged yet, which is why I rarely test for a huge range of reflexes initially.

Primitive Reflex Integration Programmes

Also, while a programme of movements is important, it is useful for parents to know that by co-regulating with and working WITH your child, you’ll almost certainly see the best results. If you push your child through a programme of movements that are impossible for them to grasp, all you’ll do is stress yourself and your child.

A few years back, I was contacted by someone who was concerned their child wasn’t making progress with another practitioner. After doing some delving, I discovered that this parent was putting their child through around half an hour of movements every single day. Rather than progressing, this child had “regressed” significantly – massive meltdowns and zoning out at school – due to the parent working ON rather than WITH.

Regression, by the way, does not mean that a brain has gone backwards or shrunk, or anything sinister like that. It means that a person is stuck in fight/flight/freeze, and is simply more sensitive to their environment. For example, things that upset or trigger them are even more upsetting/triggering than usual. People tend to call behaviours “regressions” when they uncomfortable to be around.

Obviously, we all want quick fixes, but neuroplasticity is NEVER a quick fix, and it really isn’t something you can force on someone without attuning to their nervous system.

I love it when parents are fascinated by my work and want to give it a go too. By jumping onto my mat and experiencing passive movements for themselves, they are learning how it feels, which in turn helps them to deliver those movements more effectively for their child – asking for feedback while working with.

There are some children who simply cannot go through a primitive reflex assessment. That is fine! As I mentioned above, I do not need to test reflexes to know what we need to do. Very often, I have my gym ball with me. This is a great piece of equipment because children instinctively know how to use it to integrate their own reflexes. Sometimes they’ll sit on it and bounce, and other times they’ll use it to propell themselves around. This gives me a lot more information than merely getting a child to go through reflex tests: it gives me important information on how to calm their nervous systems.

My 55cm gym ball – the most popular activity in my clinic!

The point of me writing this post is that in order to make the very best progress, the following factors need to be in place:

Parents need to invest in the process
This is about working WITH your child, not ON them – co-regulation is at the heart of safety
Do not fixate on reflexes – this is a whole brain/body approach, and your connection with your child is fundamental for their progress
Allow your child to lead you – watch for signs of them trying to integrate their own reflexes.
Consistency is key. You cannot stop/start or only contact your therapist when it suits you – you need to make a commitment to do movements 5-7 times a week with your child and visit your therapist every 4-6 weeks on average

To find your nearest neurodevelopmental therapist, you can use this directory

Book your initial appointment here!

Neuroplasticity retained reflexes STNR: Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex TLR

Figure Skating (and primitive reflexes at any age)

This blog post delves into the transformative journey of taking up figure skating at this age. I look at how continued work with primitive reflexes at any age, using rhythmic movement training, can play a part in improving sports performance.

In 1980, I remember watching Robin Cousins win Gold at Lake Placid, and thinking how much I’d love to try skating. I remember being entranced and obsessed with Torvill and Dean. However, our ice rink was always rammed, so having lessons was not an option. The UK has the lowest number of ice rinks per capita in Europe, so skating for me was over the shoe roller skates – which by the way, we were allowed to take to school to skate in the playground in.

Age should never be a barrier to embracing new challenges and discovering the untapped potential of one’s body and mind. The world of figure skating re-opened up to me earlier this year as an arena for self-discovery, physical rejuvenation, and social connection. I’ve been hooked ever since.

Skating has become my sport. It’s become my obsession. It’s become a little chunk of social life.

hanged pair of white leather figure skates

Figure skating is a dynamic full-body workout that defies stereotypes associated with age. The constant movement and balance challenges contribute to improved cardiovascular health, flexibility, and overall fitness. Additionally, the weight-bearing nature of skating enhances bone density, a crucial aspect of maintaining skeletal health as we age.

At the rink, I am friends with skaters between the age of 4 and I don’t know what – late 60s/70s? Who knows. They’re all fabulous.

Core Strength and Stability

As a comprehensive workout for the body, figure skating places a strong emphasis on core strength.

I also notice something very funny: when skaters are first learning a new movement, I see hands mirroring what feet are doing. There are very few new skaters who don’t do this! And then, one day, the new movement becomes automatic, having been repeated enough, and the hands stop mirroring the feet. For some, this can take months, and for others, minutes.

Why do is this? It’s because some of us have to work extra hard to compensate for retained primitive reflexes!

Primitive reflexes at any age

I recently asked my coach to video me, and realised that what holds me back immensely is my persistent STNR reflex, which pops in and out as life happens around me. This reflex causes a weak core, which is pretty disastrous for figure skating. Equipping oneself with knowledge of rhythmic movement training movements is knowledge for life. For this reason, I’ve already been doing some targeted movements, which has helped my core stability, and helped my body to work out what my brain is asking it to do.

I shall be following a skating friend, Jade, for a case study. Jade also has a pronounced STNR reflex. We videoed her today, and we’ll be starting a movement programme imminently and tracking her progress as we go. Watch this space if you’d like to follow her progress! She’s totally up for being my first ever figure skating case study!

Here is Jade about to step onto the ice for the first time in around 4 months:

Overcoming Physical Challenges:

The journey of re-starting figure skating at my age (I’m old enough to remember Andy Pandy and Mary, Mungo and Midge) is undeniably a physical challenge, especially for someone as out of condition as I was when I started, but it’s one that holds immense rewards. Each new movement has become a testament to perseverance, courage, and personal growth.

For children, skating involves balance, motor planning and coordination and physical stamina (especially in hire skates). As primitive reflex enthusiasts will already know, balance and coordination are essential for learning!

A Sociable Symphony of Diversity

Figure skating transcends age and attracts a diverse community. I meet the same people every week and we either talk about skating or completely unrelated things. Last week, we were even snorting with laughter about fish pedicures and what would happen if the fish got a bit carried away.

The shared passion for the sport creates a welcoming environment where connections are formed on the ice and friendships blossom off it.

As the blades carve patterns on the ice, the journey of figure skating at any age becomes a dance of liberation. The synergy between social engagement and the physical challenges of figure skating creates a transformative experience that enriches the mind, strengthens the body, and fosters a sense of community.

It’s a reminder that, with the right support and mindset, age becomes a mere number, and the ice becomes a canvas for a vibrant and fulfilling chapter of life.

So, let the music play, the blades glide, and the spirit soar as figure skating becomes a testament to the courage to embrace life’s adventures, unbound by societal expectations.

As a final thought, I found this absolutely beautiful short film about a 90 year-old skater – enjoy!

ATNR:Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Babkin reflex FPR: Fear Paralysis Reflex Moro reflex retained reflexes retained reflexes Spinal Galant Reflex STNR: Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex TLR

The Hidden Key: Ways Retained Primitive Reflexes May Impact Your Daily Life

Trying to explain what retained primitive reflexes are in an elevator pitch- style presentation is very difficult. This requires more than a 30 second summary.

The elevator pitch version of what I do is that I work to help primitive reflexes to integrate. These are the reflexes we are all born with, which should have disappeared in the first two years of our lives, as we progress through the “typical” milestones, such as rolling, sitting, crawling, etc, within the “typical” window of development. If we do not integrate these primitive reflexes, they remain “retained” in our systems, and cause emotional, behavioural and learning challenges throughout life.

When people ask what I do, some think it’s some sort of wacky alternative therapy. Some think it’s massage. Some think I’m somehow conveying energy or something like that to “recipients”. I don’t do ANY of these things, and to me, neuro-developmental therapy is anything but alternative! In fact, it’s something that could save squillions – if our health service would only adopt it.

So, what do I actually do, then?

Neuro-developmental therapy is a very gentle, movement-based, non-talking therapy, which gradually (sometimes suddenly) reduces social, emotional, behavioural and sensory challenges.

I work with central nervous systems and brains! I give the central nervous system and brain a second chance to develop typically if there has been a glitch in development.

Integrating retained primitive reflexes

Our development is like a very complex chain reaction: If a foetus’ development is interrupted in utero or during childbirth by some kind of stress/trauma, or a new-born’s development is interrupted by restricting movement or by some trauma, the next link in the chain cannot be completed, so neural connections are not as efficient as they would be without the interruption.

What this means going forward is that a person will have challenges – some noticeable and some that they are able to compensate for. As a matter of fact, most people have several glitches in their development that are not obvious to the untrained eye, but it is worth mentioning that our behaviour and personalities are very much shaped by our reflex profiles.

Neuroplasticity

Equally, I would like to emphasise that reflexes are just what we see on the surface. It is also extremely important to work with the gut and autonomic nervous system – otherwise you can do all the work you want with reflexes, but they’ll never fully integrate.

I work towards integration using foetal and newborn movement patterns, which mimic primitive reflex patterns, giving us a second chance to create the brain connections we should have created first time around.

How to integrate retained primitive reflexes

Every client who comes to me is a unique individual. Of course, part of the appointment involves testing for retained primitive reflexes, but I also carefully observe a client, taking in their use of language, movement, postural control and how they interact with me, a caregiver and their environment.

I may get children to draw a picture for me, and notice whether they are left or right handed, how they hold a pencil, what colours they use, how their pencil control and colouring is… after observing, I will home in on a few reflexes that I want to assess. I’ll then get my client to do some work with me, which involves a series of rhythmic and pre-birth movements and pressures that I get the client to resist.

For this reason, every client will receive a unique programme of movements. With any kind of neuroplasticity work, it’s a case of little and often, so I require my clients to stick to their programme daily, come rain or shine. However, a programme will often be as little as 5 minutes per day or sometimes even less.

I use a combination of Rhythmic Movement Training and somatic movement to integrate reflexes.

Signs of retained primitive reflexes

What happens if primitive reflexes are retained?

Poor emotional regulation
Inability to focus
Sensory processing difficulties
Mixing up left and right
Difficulty with motor planning and coordination
Anxiety
Shyness
Being a hyperchondriac
Self harm
Poor core strength – especially when children (and adults) w-sit

How do you get rid of retained primitive reflexes?

Sometimes I can get a person to notice differences almost immediately. Sometimes it takes months of peeling back layers to get to the root of a problem.

In the future, it is my dream to get the NHS to recognise neuro-developmental therapy as a way to help children (and adults), but in the meantime, you can visit me at my clinic in Sussex.

They say that if you find a job you love, you’ll never work another day. For me and my colleagues specialising in neuro-developmental therapy, this cannot be more true. I feel that I’ve found my vocation: seeing people transform through movement is the most rewarding experience I could ever wish for.