#330 - Crawling for Brain Development: An Interview with Rachel

by Jessica Hill, COTA/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC October 16, 2024

#330 - Crawling for Brain Development: An Interview with Rachel

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Crawling for Brain Development: An Interview with Rachel

Today we are chatting all about Rachel’s new curriculum: Crawling for Brain Development.

Get the inside scoop on how Rachel created this book, why she is so passionate about crawling, and how you can get your hands on this amazing curriculum! 

Crawling for Brain Development© is a 5-week, guided program designed for children and adults ages 3-100+. It will benefit individuals of all abilities, whether they crawled in infancy or not. Parents can implement the program at home, teachers in their classrooms, and therapists in their treatment sessions and home exercise programs. In 150 pages, you will learn therapist-directed activities designed to move the brain out of fight-or-flight and into a higher level of functioning! 

Check out all of the links below! 

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form ->https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 

Links

All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

Crawling for Brain Development Curriculum  

 

Crawling for Brain Development: An Interview with Rachel

When we think of crawling, we often picture babies scooting across the floor, but did you know that crawling is essential for brain development at any age? Whether you're a parent trying to support your child's growth or a therapist looking to improve client outcomes, incorporating crawling into daily routines could be the game-changer you're looking for.

Why Crawling Matters: More Than A Milestone

Crawling is more than a physical milestone—it's a foundational skill that helps develop the brain. Studies show that when children skip crawling or don't engage in enough tummy time, they may miss out on crucial neurological development, leading to issues like dyslexia, dysgraphia, or retained primitive reflexes later in life.

Engaging in crawling activities on the floor can improve focus, enhance posture, and help regulate the sensory system. It's a simple yet powerful tool that benefits children, adults, and seniors alike.

How Crawling Benefits The Brain

1. Proprioceptive Input

Crawling provides deep pressure input to the joints, muscles, and tendons, calming and organizing the nervous system. This sensory input is constructive for children with ADHD or sensory processing challenges.

2. Coordination and Strength

As you crawl, you work on disassociating the upper and lower body, which strengthens coordination between the left and right sides of the brain—crucial for higher-level skills like reading and writing.

3. Visual Tracking

Crawling requires your eyes to work together, which helps develop ocular motor skills. These skills are essential for tracking movement, reading smoothly, and even hand-eye coordination.

For Parents: How To Incorporate Crawling Into Your Child's Routine

If you’re a parent trying to manage your child's sensory needs, introducing crawling into daily activities can be a simple yet effective strategy. You don't need special equipment—just a clear space and a few fun ideas.

  • Make it a game: Whether you're crawling to bed or pretending to be an animal, you can make crawling fun by having your child balance objects on their back while improving their coordination.  
  • Sensory Regulation: If your child has difficulty transitioning between activities, try incorporating a quick crawling session. Crawling helps them regulate their sensory system, making the transition smoother.

 

For Therapists: Using Crawling To Support Brain Development

If you're a pediatric occupational therapist, you know the importance of providing evidence-based interventions. Crawling is excellent for targeting sensory processing issues, primitive reflexes, and neuromotor immaturity.

  • Brain Breaks: In therapy sessions, crawling can be used as a "brain break" to help kids reset their nervous systems during transitions.
  • Customizable Activities: It can be highly beneficial to incorporate activities that strengthen physical and cognitive skills into daily routines. These activities can be easily adapted to meet each client's unique needs, whether they are a child or an adult.

Ready To Get Started?

Whether you're a parent seeking to support your child's development, a therapist looking for effective tools to use with clients, or simply someone who wants to improve focus, posture, and overall brain health, crawling is a simple yet powerful solution. Rachel Harrington’s book, Crawling for Brain Development, provides a clear, research-backed program that’s easy to follow and suitable for all ages.

By dedicating just a few minutes daily to crawling, you can unlock significant benefits for your body and mind. From improving coordination and strength to enhancing sensory regulation and cognitive function, this natural movement has the potential to make a noticeable difference. 

 

 

 

 

BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS

While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.

Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.

This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.

Jessica Hill, COTA/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC
Jessica Hill, COTA/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC

Rachel Harrington, COTA/l, AC, CPRCS, and Jessica Hill, COTA/L, CPRCS are Harkla's in-house Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) and Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists. They have been working with children for over 6 years in outpatient settings. They specialize in creating easy-to-digest, actionable content that families can use to help their child's progress at home. Jessica and Rachel are the in-house experts, content creators, and podcast hosts at Harkla! To learn more about Jessica and Rachel, visit the Harkla About Us Page. Make sure to listen to their weekly podcast, All Things Sensory by Harkla for actionable, fun advice on child development.


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