STNR — Parent Guide

STNR helps babies move from tummy time to hands‑and‑knees. When the head looks up, arms tend to straighten and hips fold; when the head looks down, arms bend and hips lift. It should settle around 9–11 months.

Friendly note: These ideas support everyday learning and regulation. They’re not medical advice.
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What is it?

STNR is a bridge reflex for crawling. It links head position to the arms and hips so babies can push up and rock on all fours. Later, it needs to quiet so kids can sit upright and move without ‘breaking’ into pieces.

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What parents might notice

  • Slumped sitting; prefers W‑sit
  • Hard to stay still at a desk; fidgety posture
  • Clumsy transitions between floor and standing
  • Swimming and coordinated upper/lower body movements feel hard

How to test (optional & gentle)

  1. Have your child kneel on hands and knees (tabletop).
  2. Ask them to look up to the ceiling: do elbows lock and hips drop?
  3. Ask them to look down to the knees: do elbows bend and hips lift? Big automatic shifts suggest STNR is active.
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Safety first: Avoid if there’s neck pain. Keep movements slow and comfortable; stop if there’s dizziness.

Home activities (playful & graded)

Start easy, keep it short, and make it fun. Practice most days for small, steady gains.

Easy (get comfortable)

  • Cat–cow on hands and knees (slow)
  • Short tunnel crawls under a table or chair
  • Wall push‑ups with steady breathing

Medium (build control)

  • Slow bear walk (hips high) for short distances
  • Knee‑to‑opposite‑hand taps in tabletop
  • Scooter‑board pushes (short, straight paths)

Advanced (confidence & rhythm)

  • Plank holds (brief) with gentle head turns
  • Obstacle path: crawl → kneel → stand → reach
  • Wheelbarrow walks (short, playful distances)

Parent Pointers

  • Start small: 5–10 minutes a day, about 5 days a week.
  • Pick favorites: Choose 2 activities your child enjoys. Steady breathing and relaxed shoulders mean you’ve picked well.
  • How much is “enough” today? 8–10 slow, smooth reps or 30–45 seconds without strain counts as a good set.
  • On the right track: Over 2–4 weeks, look for smaller startles, quicker calming, and easier settling for sleep.
  • Keep it kind: If your child looks tense or frustrated, shorten the set, slow it down, or switch to an easier activity.

Quick recap

STNR supports the move into crawling, then should quiet so sitting and school tasks feel steady. Short, playful practice builds control.

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