Crawling skills can affect reading skills (?)

amother

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:14 pm

I'm a reading specialist and as I ask parents about child development during my evaluations, I'm noticing that many children who are struggling with reading didn't crawl properly (right hand, left foot coordination) as a baby.
Wondering if anyone else noticed this...

(Obviously, I'm not saying that all reading disabilities come from not crawling... I'm experienced with many reading disabilities. I'm wondering about the correlation between non-crawlers and non-readers)

amother

Kiwi

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:17 pm

Yes, this is something the principal at the public school I worked at used to talk about a lot. I don't remember everything but a lot had to do with babies who didn't get enough tummy/floor time (due to sitting in infant seats regularly for long amounts of time) which then led to them being late crawlers. Many of them also later had delays in learning to read. There are lots of brain studies on this apparently--she used to quote them. Somehow, that floor time and being mobile at a younger age helps develop certain parts of the brain that later aid in language and reading acquisition.

amother

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:17 pm

nightingale1 wrote:

Can you pm me? I have some interesting information on this topic but I think it might ID me

pm'd you

amother

Obsidian

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:18 pm

Is this surprising to you? I thought there’s research about using both sides of the body together and both sides of the brain.
I think this why OTs and PTs are into proper crawling and don’t poo poo skipping it?

amother

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:18 pm

amother Kiwi wrote:

Thanks for your response. Makes sense. I can also understand how lack of proper right left body coordination can affect proper right and left brain coordination later on which is vital for reading.
I'm wondering if more people noticed this irl

amother

Slategray

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:18 pm

amother OP wrote:

Ds didn’t crawl at all. My sil who’s a therapist drove me crazy about it. He’s 14 now and never had any reading issues. He’s the brightest in his class and a huge book warm

amother

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:20 pm

amother Obsidian wrote:

Not surprising. I started asking about it during my evals b/c I'm aware of the research out there. I strongly believe in research, yet, I'm curious to hear about irl people from their personal experiences. (a different perspective)

amother

Azalea

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:23 pm

My oldest son didn’t crawl and I was warned that he’d have issues with gross motor skills, handwriting, etc.
BH he’s 11 now and doesn’t have any reading or writing issues. He also taught himself to ride a 2 wheeler at age 5 so I guess gross motor is fine too. He’s actually super handy.

amother

Honeydew

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:25 pm

My daughter who started crawling at 15 months and didn't walk until 19 months - was reading full chapter books - Laura Ingalls Wilder etc. when she was six. So....

amother

Springgreen

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:29 pm

amother Honeydew wrote:

My daughter who started crawling at 15 months and didn't walk until 19 months - was reading full chapter books - Laura Ingalls Wilder etc. when she was six. So....

WHEN they started to crawl isn't the question!!
Many children skip the crawling the stage, and research absolutely shows that crawling makes important brain connections that children can be missing later on.

So there's no so.... anything

amother

Floralwhite

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:30 pm

I’m an OT. According to proponents of reflex integration theories, crawling helps integrate the ATNR reflex. If this reflex persists then it can interfere with vision and coordination which can in turn affect reading and writing.

amother

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:33 pm

amother Honeydew wrote:

My daughter who started crawling at 15 months and didn't walk until 19 months - was reading full chapter books - Laura Ingalls Wilder etc. when she was six. So....

but she crawled for 4 months. so....

amother

Teal

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:36 pm

This is fascinating to me!!!
DD never really crawled, she scooted around on her bottom. But she was walking by 10 months

She is now 11, and has major reading difficulties - she is in OT and vision therapy for issues stemming from left and right coordination

amother

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:46 pm

amother Teal wrote:

Thanks for your response. I hope she learns how to read soon

amother

Honeydew

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 8:48 pm

amother OP wrote:

but she crawled for 4 months. so....

She never crawled normally. Physically she was so behind!

amother

DarkPurple

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 9:02 pm

amother Teal wrote:

If you'd post an anon email I know someone who can help. She has done WONDERS for my daughter.

Op I remember learning about this in 12th grade about 15 years ago....
All my kids crawled. One has issues with coordination and balance and other issues due to another neuro problem. Reflex integration exercises have done wonders for her.

amother

Teal

Wed, Nov 16 2022, 9:10 pm

Quote:

If you'd post an anon email I know someone who can help. She has done WONDERS for my daughter.

Bh she was evaluated by an amazing neuro-opthalmologist and she is working with a wonderful therapist. We are already seeing slow but steady progress