An infant is born with 86 billion neurons waiting to be linked. Through our reflexes, movement occurs and that in turn enables us to build and strengthen those linkages within our brain. Connections build and grow between the base of the brain upwards from our brainstem, the part of the brain fully formed at birth. As a baby develops, movement evolves from primitive reflexes to more advanced motor skills, sending signals that strengthen the neural network, creating connections that increase awareness and control over time.

Do you remember those stress balls that sat on every desk, offering a doughy outlet for a tough day at work? Today, you can’t miss the multitude of calming toys, fidget spinners and tactile strips on the market designed to quell anxiety and redirect our behavioral responses. In stressful situations, these may be acceptable coping mechanisms but provide only a short-term fix for a more complex challenge.