Newborns begin to communicate from the moment they are born. As described by Jean Piaget and other neurodevelopmental child psychologists, much of this amazing ability is made possible by early primary reflexes. The maturation of these reflexes and infant responses to environmental interaction form the essential foundation for further speech-language skills, which are essential in a child’s cognitive development.

This presentation covers early primary reflexes from the MNRI® / Masgutova Method® and proposes a link to infant speech, as described by Dunstan Baby Language Program (DBL). A pre-recorded interview with Sonja Preston, the manager of DBL language, is included. DBL is an internationally known education program that teaches parents to listen to an “infant’s speech” and respond to early reflexive sounds and movements in infants.

Child reflexes that continue to develop and contribute to further speech acquisition and gestural development in the first year will be discussed from the MNRI®/Masgutova Method® perspective. Lastly, the lecturer demonstrates selected MNRI® techniques to address and support universal infant needs.  

Lecturers: 

Yichien Su, MS-CCC, SLP and MNRI® Core Specialist

Dr. Nina Capone Singleton, PhD, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and Associate Professor, Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine, Seton Hall University

Expert Interview:  Sonja Preston, Dunstan Baby Language Trainer and Global Manager

Video Runtime:  2 hours, 36 minutes, 10 seconds.