When my son began swimming lessons, I was left perplexed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On land, he had no trouble following instructions and he seemed within the expected range of emotional maturity for his age at the time. He also was a kid who loved water – bathtime, the beach, the pool\u2026he was in with no fear,and had to be dragged out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So what happened when we suddenly found ourselves at swimming lessons? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giant emotions, clinging to my leg, refusal to get in the pool, screaming, tears, tears and more tears…both of ours by the end! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Living in Australia, swimming lessons are often a non-negotiable and rite of passage for children. Apart from the water safety aspect, swimming is often considered one of the best full-body exercises for children, enhancing coordination, lung capacity and muscle tone. But for some children, like my son, things derail at swim school and learning to swim can be an unexpectedly difficult and frustrating experience. As we discovered, not due to fear of water or lack of opportunity, but because of something deeper laying beneath the surface – retained primitive reflexes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns that originate in the brainstem and develop in the womb or shortly after birth. These reflexes help newborns survive in their early months. However, as the brain matures, these reflexes should naturally integrate \u2014 meaning they are inhibited or replaced by more refined, voluntary movements. When this integration doesn’t happen properly, it can result in retained primitive reflexes, which interfere with physical coordination, balance, posture, and sensory processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swimming without primitive reflexes well integrated, is very hard. This can be when the foundations fall apart.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swimming requires coordinated movement between the arms, legs, head, and trunk. It requires either the left and right side of the body to be doing different things at the same time and the upper and lower part of the body to be doing different things at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Retained reflexes such as the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)<\/em> and Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)<\/em> interfere with coordinating two parts of the body together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Children with retained reflexes often move stiffly or awkwardly in water, expend more energy, and struggle with stroke rhythm, making it harder to keep afloat or make progress during lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong core muscles are essential for floating, maintaining body position, and performing continuous swimming strokes. Primitive reflexes like the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)<\/em> and Moro Reflex<\/em> can negatively affect muscle tone and postural control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These challenges with stability and posture mean that children may have trouble maintaining the proper body position in the water and have particular difficulty doing a back float which can feel unsafe or disorienting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swimming is a sensory-rich activity \u2014 water pressure, temperature, sound echoes, movement in multiple directions, and interactions with others can all be overwhelming. Children with retained primitive reflexes often have underdeveloped sensory integration, which means their brain has trouble processing and responding appropriately to sensory input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All these reactions can make swimming feel unsafe or distressing, leading to resistance, fear, or even withdrawal during lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding that retained primitive reflexes may be the root cause of swimming difficulties is the first step. If swimming lessons are becoming a chore and leave everyone wobbly, then maybe give them a break for a while. Practice will not make perfect if there are retained primitive reflexes and the resistance to swimming will build. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Save the money, and spend the time working to integrate your child\u2019s primitive reflexes to help them have success in the pool.\u00a0When they begin lessons again, you’ll see the improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swimming is a complex, multi-sensory, full-body task that challenges coordination, core strength, and emotional regulation. For children with retained primitive reflexes, it can feel like trying to swim against the current \u2014 their bodies move reflexively, rather than intentionally, making learning to swim slow, stressful, and sometimes scary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for my son, after reflex work when he was younger, he\u2019s now a patrolling surf life saver, competes in surf lifesaving competitions and is a squad swimmer. In fact, swimming is now his sport of choice!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the right foundations in place, your child can find their difficulty with swimming significantly reduced. And as for you, you\u2019ll find your time soaking up that chlorine on the sidelines, just that little bit more enjoyable with them smiling. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
<\/li>\n\n\n\n2. Poor Postural Control and Core Stability<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Sensory Processing Issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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5. What Can Help<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
So sink or swim?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n