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Welcome to the Cortex Academy® website for parents


We understand that being a parent is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in life. That's why we're here to support you on this journey. Our mission is to provide you with valuable information about your child's development and how to foster it.
 
We believe that early intervention is key, and we want to empower you with the knowledge and resources you need to help your child reach their full potential. Our articles cover a range of topics, from practical tips for everyday activities to more in-depth information about developmental milestones. Additionally, we will offer you access to expert-led video lectures, webinars, and online courses. We are committed to growing our content based on your needs and interests, so please feel free to reach out and let us know what topics you would like to see covered.

My main area of focus is on persistent primary reflexes and imperfect processing of sensory information. When a baby is born, they are bombarded with a plethora of stimuli that their brain may not yet be able to process properly. Primary reflexes help to enable a proper response to these stimuli, which is why they are particularly prevalent in the first six months of a child's life.

The motor development of a child is linked to the activity of primary reflexes. These reflexes help to stimulate the formation of connections in the brain and allow for the connection of various areas of the brain, leading to the creation of a dense neural network. This is crucial for future learning processes, communication skills, emotional development, and motivation. As the higher brain centers develop, primary reflexes begin to interfere and must be dampened to enable proper neurological development.

 

The development of posture and movement functions essentially mirrors brain development.

Image by kaushal mishra

Children who struggle with learning disabilities or concentration disorders often have persistent primary reflexes. This is not surprising as their brains may not have developed optimally, making it difficult for them to process these reflexes. As a result, these reflexes can affect various areas such as muscle tone, posture, coordination of movements, concentration, and eye movements. These symptoms can lead to disorders such as ADHD, ADD, or learning and speech difficulties. It is important to work systematically with primary reflexes to alleviate these problems. However, it is also important to acknowledge that in some cases, primary reflexes may not be the sole cause of the issue, and a combination of other approaches such as speech therapy, special pedagogy, physiotherapy or occupational therapy may be necessary.

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There are many reasons why primary reflexes persist, such as a risky pregnancy, difficult birth, or diseases in early age. Another significant factor is the healthy psychomotor development of the child in the first year of life. Despite the impact primary reflexes can have, the issue is often neglected from the point of view of prevention, not just in schoolchildren but also in adults. It can lead to faulty posture, headaches, concentration problems, and difficulty coping with stress. Therefore, the topic of primary reflexes will be a recurring theme throughout this website.

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Stimulating a child's psychomotor development in the first year of life is the best possible prevention for future problems.

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PhDr. Marja Volemanová, PhD.

Growing Strong: A Metaphorical Tree of Child Development​

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We can metaphorically compare a child's development to the growth of a tree. While we often focus on the child's academic abilities such as reading, writing and counting, these can be likened to the apples on a tree. In order to grow beautiful, red apples, the tree must be properly rooted and well-nourished, with a strong trunk and branches that can support healthy leaves and fruit. Although every tree is unique, they are all based on the same principles and elements governed by nature's laws. Therefore, in the development and education of a child, it is essential to consider:

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  • The roots (birth and early moments after birth)

  • The trunk and branches (psychomotor development)

  • The crown (sensory and emotional abilities, cooperation of the cerebral hemispheres, cooperation of the eyes - binocularity)

  • The fruits (academic skills, speech, correct posture, coordination of movements)

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If the foundations are not strong or the tree is not healthy, it cannot support the growth of healthy fruit. Therefore, prevention relies on promoting proper development, and addressing problems from their roots.

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