If your child is experiencing challenges related to Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) retention, you’re not alone. STNR is a primitive reflex that typically integrates by 9–12 months of age. It can affect crawling, coordination, and overall motor development when it lingers.
As a parent, you might feel unsure about how to help your child, but the good news is that there are effective, practical activities that can encourage crawling and promote proper motor pattern development. This blog introduces a five-week program designed to help your child integrate their STNR reflex through play, strengthening exercises, and fun activities.
What is STNR Reflex Retention?
STNR is a natural reflex that helps babies transition from lying on their tummies to crawling. However, if it doesn’t integrate, it can lead to challenges such as difficulty with balance, poor posture, and delayed motor milestones like crawling. Addressing this requires intentional activities that stimulate the nervous system to integrate this reflex.
Five-Week STNR Reflex Integration Program
Here’s a five-week program tailored to help address your child’s Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) retention issues through activities and exercises that encourage crawling and proper motor pattern development. This plan is based on strategies typically recommended by occupational and physical therapists for reflex integration.
Week 1: Building Awareness and Strength
Week 1: Laying the Foundation
The first week focuses on building your child’s core strength and body awareness. Activities include modified tummy time, rocking on hands and knees, and fun eye-tracking games with toys. These foundational exercises prepare your child’s body for crawling movements.
Goal: Encourage body awareness, strengthen the core, and prepare for crawling.
- Modified Tummy Time
- Duration: 3–5 minutes, 3–4 times a day.
- Place a rolled towel under your child’s chest while on her tummy.
Encourage her to lift her head and push up with her arms.
- Use toys or mirrors to engage her during this activity.
- Rocking on Hands and Knees
- Duration: 2–3 minutes, 3 times a day.
- Place your child in a hands-and-knee position. Support her if needed by holding
her hips or placing a rolled towel under her tummy.
- Gently rock her back and forth to develop balance and coordination.
- Knee Reaches
- Duration: 3–5 repetitions per side, 2 times a day.
- While lying on her back, guide her hands to reach for her knees. This promotes
core engagement and body awareness.
- Eye Tracking with Toys
- Duration: 3–5 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Use a colorful toy and move it slowly up, down, left, and right. This activity helps
with visual-motor coordination, which is linked to crawling.
Week 1: Building Awareness and Strength Product Ideas
- Tummy Time Mats: Large, colorful mats for tummy time activities.
- Rolled Towels or Cushions: Pre-rolled cushions designed for infant exercises.
- Mirrors or Toys: Floor mirrors or soft toys to engage the child.
Week 2: Strengthening and Coordinating Movements
Week 2: Strengthening and Coordination
In week two, we worked on upper body strength and coordinated movement with assisted wheelbarrow walks, crawling through tunnels, and playful “Superman” poses. These exercises help your child strengthen their muscles while having fun.
Goal: Develop upper body strength and practice coordinated movement.
- Wheelbarrow Walks (Assisted)
- Duration: 2–3 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Hold your child gently by the hips or thighs and let her “walk” on her hands. This
strengthens the arms and core.
- Crawling Through Tunnels
- Duration: 5–7 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Use a pop-up play tunnel or create one with chairs and blankets. Encourage her
to crawl through by placing toys or calling her name.
- Superman Pose
- Duration: 10–15 seconds, 5 repetitions.
- While lying on her tummy, encourage her to lift her arms and legs off the ground,
mimicking a “flying” pose.
- Cross-Pattern Reaching
- Duration: 3–5 repetitions per side, 2 times a day.
- Place a toy on one side of her body and guide her to reach for it with the opposite
hand.
Week 2: Strengthening and Coordination
Focus: Strengthen the upper body and introduce reciprocal movements.
Daily Schedule:
- Morning: 3 minutes of wheelbarrow walks
- Afternoon: 5 minutes of tunnel crawling
- Evening: 10 seconds of Superman pose (5 reps)
Week 2: Strengthening and Coordination of Product Ideas
- Pop-Up Play Tunnels: For crawling exercises.
- Scooter Boards: Encourages hand and arm movement.
- Activity Balls: For cross-pattern reaching.
Week 3: Encouraging Crawling Patterns
Week 3: Practicing Crawling Patterns
By the third week, we encourage reciprocal crawling patterns with guided crawling games, obstacle courses, and cross-lateral movement practice. These activities help your child master the mechanics of crawling playfully and engagingly.
Goal: Develop reciprocal (opposite arm and leg) movement for crawling.
- Crawling Games
- Duration: 5–10 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Place toys or objects a short distance away to motivate crawling. Encourage her
to use both hands and knees.
- Cross-Lateral Crawling Practice
- Duration: 3–5 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Guide her hands and knees to move in a crawling pattern if she struggles. Start
slowly and praise her efforts.
- Obstacle Course
- Duration: 10–15 minutes, 1–2 times a day.
- Set up soft obstacles like pillows or cushions for her to crawl over, under, and
around. This builds strength and coordination.
- Plank Holds
- Duration: 10–15 seconds, 3 times a day.
- Help her hold a plank position (on hands and knees) with support under her
Tummy.
Week 3: Practicing Crawling Patterns
By the third week, we encourage reciprocal crawling patterns with guided crawling games, obstacle courses, and cross-lateral movement practice. These activities help your child master the mechanics of crawling playfully and engagingly.
Week 3: Encouraging Crawling Patterns Product Ideas
- Obstacle Course Kits: Soft, safe, and stimulating courses.
- Plush Mats: For safe plank practice.
- Animal-Themed Toys: For crawling games and animal walks.
Week 4: Refining Crawling and Body Awareness
Goal: Improve fluidity and strength in crawling.
- Crawling Relay
- Duration: 10 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Create a path with toys or objects spaced a few feet apart. Encourage her to
crawl to each object.
- Scooter Board Play
- Duration: 5–7 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Let her lie on a scooter board and use her hands to propel forward. This
strengthens her arms and promotes crawling movements.
- Cross-Body Ball Rolling
- Duration: 5 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Sit her on the floor and roll a ball back and forth, encouraging her to reach across
her body.
- Animal Walks
- Duration: 5 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Playfully imitate animals (e.g., bear, crab, or dog) to promote crawling-like
movements.
Week 4: Refining Crawling and Body Awareness
Week 4: Building Fluidity
Focus: Encourage smoother, more confident crawling.
Activities:
- Crawling Relay: Set up a series of toys for your child to crawl toward.
- Scooter Board Play: Let your child lie on a scooter board and propel forward.
- Cross-Body Ball Rolling: Roll a ball back and forth to improve coordination.
- Animal Walks: Imitate animals like bears or crabs to promote crawling
movements.
Daily Schedule:
- Morning: 5 minutes of crawling relay
- Afternoon: 5 minutes of scooter board play
- Evening: 3 minutes of animal walks
Week 4: Building Fluidity
Week four focuses on refining your child’s crawling skills and improving fluidity. Crawling relays, scooter board play, and cross-body ball rolling make movement fun while promoting coordination.
Week 4: Refining Crawling and Body Awareness Product Ideas
- Interactive Toys with Sounds: Motivates crawling relays.
- Crawling Relays: Markers or toys to set paths.
Week 5: Independent Crawling and Transitioning
The final week focuses on helping your child gain independence in crawling and transitioning between positions. With interactive crawling games, races, and transition practice, your child will build confidence and strength.
This five-week plan isn’t just about exercises—it’s about turning therapy into a playful and bonding experience for you and your child.
Goal: Encourage independence in crawling and transitioning between positions.
- Transition Practice
- Duration: 5 minutes, 3 times a day.
- Help her move from sitting to hands-and-knees or lying to hands-and-knees
positions.
- Crawling Races
- Duration: 10 minutes, 1–2 times a day.
- Crawl alongside her or involve siblings in a playful race.
- Interactive Crawling
- Duration: 5–7 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Use interactive games like “chase” to encourage her to crawl after you or a toy.
- Reward-Based Crawling
- Duration: 5 minutes, 2 times a day.
- Place a favorite toy just out of reach to motivate her to crawl.
Week 5: Independent Crawling and Transitioning Product Ideas
- Transition Support Cushions: Helps with transitions between positions.
- Interactive Crawling Toys: Moves or lights up to encourage movement.
General Tools and Resources
- Visual Schedule Charts: Helps parents track progress.
- Parenting Books on Reflex Integration: Educational books for better understanding.
- Video Baby Monitors: These monitor child safety during exercises.
How This Program Helps Your Child
- Integrates the STNR Reflex: These exercises target the specific movements
needed to help the reflex integrate.
- Builds Core Strength: Strong core muscles are essential for crawling and other
motor skills.
- Encourages Independence: The program is designed to reduce support and allow
your child to crawl independently gradually.
Additional Tips
- Consistency: Repeat these activities daily or as recommended by her therapist.
- Encouragement: Celebrate small victories and progress.
- Adjustments: Modify activities based on her comfort level and therapist’s
Feedback.
Always consult with her OT/PT before beginning any new exercise program to ensure safety and appropriateness for her specific needs.
