We recently conducted an online training session for 15 participants on Primitive Reflexes and Their Integration. While preparing for this session, I was deeply moved by a realization: how vital cultural practices and traditional wisdom are in supporting a child’s development, especially in the early months of life.
This took me back to the days when my baby sister was born. She was a low birth weight baby and faced multiple challenges adjusting to the world outside the womb. I was 15 years older than her, and I remember every detail of how our grandmother cared for her with instinctive precision and grace.
The Warmth of a Daily Ritual
Each morning began with a warm oil massage. My granny would gently press and stroke every part of my sister’s body—from head to toe—with practiced hands. The care she took in doing this was remarkable. She applied just the right amount of pressure to stimulate several primitive reflexes:
- Palmar Grasp Reflex: I vividly remember my sister’s tiny fingers curling around Granny’s as she applied oil to her hands. At the time, I thought it was affection—but now I know it was the palmar reflex in action.
- Stepping Reflex: After the bath, while drying her off, my sister would make little walking movements when held upright. My grandmother would smile and say, “She wants to dance.” Now I know it was the stepping reflex.
- Galant Reflex: When soap was applied along the side of her back, she would gently curve toward that side. It seemed involuntary then—but it was the Galant reflex at work.
- Landau Reflex: As my sister lay on her tummy drying off, we noticed how she began lifting her head and chest slightly. It was a precursor to the Landau reflex developing—signifying growing strength and muscle tone.
Turning Challenges Into Comfort
Initially, my sister would cry when turned from a supine to prone position. She startled easily—perhaps showing signs of the Moro reflex. But as days passed, she began anticipating the movement. She adjusted, and her cries were replaced by calmness, then coos.
My grandmother would place her on her tummy—what we now call tummy time—and lie beside her, chatting softly about whatever my mother was doing nearby. I often joined in, and soon enough, my sister began responding to our voices with her own sounds—early reciprocal communication. She laughed, and the whole house echoed with joy. These were more than bonding moments—they were developmental milestones.
A Gentle Head Massage with Ancient Wisdom
My grandmother was especially cautious while massaging my sister’s head. She paid attention to the open sutures, gently pressing and shaping with utmost care. She taught me how to do it too, handing over her knowledge with full confidence. It was her way of preparing me—not just as a sister, but as a caregiver.
The Cycle of Integration and Love
This beautiful routine would end with my sister being fed breast milk, followed by a peaceful slumber lasting 2–3 hours. I now understand how that entire cycle—from reflex stimulation during massage and bath, to sensory integration during tummy time, to deep restorative sleep—supported her development.
My grandmother didn’t know the scientific names of these reflexes. But through her love, instinct, and experience, she naturally facilitated the integration of primitive reflexes—something that modern therapists now study and train for.
The Wisdom We’re Losing (and How to Keep It Alive)
In today’s fast-paced life, we often miss these learning moments. We forget to pause, observe, and absorb the silent yet powerful wisdom of our elders. My grandmother’s actions taught me more than any textbook ever could.
It’s important that we take time to listen, learn, and preserve this knowledge—not just in memory but in practice.
Or… if that’s hard, there’s always another way to learn—like attending the next training session conducted by The Com DEALL Trust!
After all, some knowledge is timeless—and some is simply too precious to lose.
