Tegan Piacentini

Tegan Piacentini Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Tegan Piacentini, Child Development, South Bunbury.

A movement based, non-invasive approach to improve learning, behaviours, attention, focus, motor skills & emotional regulation by integrating primitive reflexes.

If there is one thing I would tell every parent right now, it is this: your nervous system and your child's nervous syst...
30/03/2026

If there is one thing I would tell every parent right now, it is this: your nervous system and your child's nervous system are in constant conversation. When one is dysregulated, the other feels it.
I know this professionally. I also know it personally. Our family has had its fair share of circus days. The kind where you blink and a good day becomes a good hour, and then just a good few minutes. We have come a long way, and honestly, rhythmic movement has been part of that story.
Rhythmic movement is one of the simplest, most underrated tools I reach for with families. No equipment. No special setting. Just slow, repetitive, predictable movement that tells the nervous system it is safe.
The two movements in this carousel are a starting point. They are gentle, they are passive, and most importantly they work on the parent too.
If you have been wondering whether neurodevelopmental support might help your family find its own version of easier, I would love to have a conversation. I offer a free 30 minute consult, no obligation, just a chance to listen and point you in the right direction (whether it's mine or not)
📩 info@teganpiacentini.com.au
🌐 www.teganpiacentini.com.au

Does your child walk on their tiptoes?Toe walking is something many parents notice and most are told their child will si...
27/03/2026

Does your child walk on their tiptoes?
Toe walking is something many parents notice and most are told their child will simply grow out of it. That may well be true. But from a neurodevelopmental perspective, it is sometimes worth looking a little deeper, and I want to be clear that this is one lens among many.
When I see toe walking alongside other signs, I often consider whether the TLR (Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex) may still be active. This is a primitive reflex that, when retained, can keep the body in a state of forward tension. The nervous system may also be using toe walking as a way to reduce overwhelming sensory input through the soles of the feet, which can be connected to a retained Moro reflex and heightened sensitivity.
This is not a diagnosis. Toe walking has many possible causes including neurological, orthopaedic, and developmental factors, and always warrants proper assessment by the right professionals.
What I am offering is simply this: if toe walking comes alongside things like a high startle response, difficulty with balance, sensitivity to textures or touch, or challenges with self-regulation, it may be worth exploring whether the nervous system has some unmet underlying needs.
That is a conversation I am always happy to have.
📩 info@teganpiacentini.com.au or DM me

Does your child chew on their shirt collar, their sleeves, their pencil, their water bottle... anything they can get the...
24/03/2026

Does your child chew on their shirt collar, their sleeves, their pencil, their water bottle... anything they can get their mouth on?
You have probably been told it is a sensory issue. And that is true, but it is worth understanding what is actually driving it.
When a child compulsively chews, their nervous system is doing something very specific. It is seeking proprioceptive input through the jaw and mouth to help regulate an overloaded or under-stimulated system. Chewing is calming. It is grounding. And for some children, it is one of the only tools their nervous system knows how to use.
The reflexes most often involved are the Moro reflex and retained oral primitive reflexes. When these have not fully integrated, the nervous system remains reactive and dysregulated, and the body reaches for whatever sensory input it can find to cope.
Chew tools and oral fidgets can absolutely help in the short term, and there is nothing wrong with using them. But they are managing the symptom, not resolving it.
When primitive reflex integration is addressed, the nervous system develops better self-regulation from within. The need for constant oral input reduces naturally, not because the child was told to stop, but because they no longer need it in the same way.
If this sounds familiar, it might be worth exploring what is happening underneath.
📩 info@teganpiacentini.com.au or DM me

If your child W-sits, this is worth understanding.You've probably heard it before. "Stop sitting like that!" or "Cross y...
24/03/2026

If your child W-sits, this is worth understanding.
You've probably heard it before. "Stop sitting like that!" or "Cross your legs properly." Teachers use wobble cushions. Parents remind them constantly. And yet nothing changes.
Here's why.
The W-sitting position is not a bad habit. It's a compensation. When a child's core stability hasn't fully developed, often due to retained primitive reflexes, the body finds a wider base to create the stability it can't yet generate from within.
The reflexes most commonly involved include the Spinal Galant, the STNR (Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex), and the TLR (Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex). When these haven't fully integrated, children struggle with postural control, hip stability, and body awareness, and W-sitting becomes their solution.
Classroom strategies like posture reminders or sensory cushions aren't wrong, but they're working on the surface. They ask the child to give up the only stable position they have, without giving them anything to replace it with.
When the underlying neurodevelopmental needs are addressed and reflexes are integrated, posture improves. Not because a child was corrected, but because their nervous system finally has what it needs.
Curious whether this might be relevant for your child? Feel free to DM me or email
📩 info@teganpiacentini.com.au

Is your child truly ready for Kindy?In Australia, our little ones start Kindy at just 4 years old. And while we spend a ...
22/03/2026

Is your child truly ready for Kindy?
In Australia, our little ones start Kindy at just 4 years old. And while we spend a lot of time thinking about whether they know their letters and numbers, there's something equally important that often gets missed; their neurodevelopmental foundation.
Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns we're all born with. They're meant to integrate (switch off) in the first few years of life. When they don't, they can create real challenges once a child enters the classroom. Things like difficulty sitting still, emotional dysregulation, trouble with writing, or sensitivity to the classroom environment.
These aren't behaviour problems. They're nervous system patterns that can be identified and supported.
If you're noticing any of the signs in the graphic, a neurodevelopmental assessment could give you answers and a clear path forward.
📩 Feel free to DM me or email info@teganpiacentini.com.au

I put together a free Baby Development Milestone Guide (from a neurodevelopmental perspective) and I would love to get i...
19/03/2026

I put together a free Baby Development Milestone Guide (from a neurodevelopmental perspective) and I would love to get it into the hands of any new or expecting parents who could use it.
Months 1 to 12, covering motor development, language, vision, reflexes and simple action items for every stage. Written through a neurodevelopmental lens, so not just what to expect, but why it matters.
If you would like a copy, just drop me a DM and I will send it straight to you.
And if you know a new mum who might find it useful, feel free to tag her below or share this post. Word of mouth from people like you is how this work reaches the families who need it most.

Please note this guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice!

What should your baby actually be doing right now?Most parents are never told this: milestones are not random. Your baby...
19/03/2026

What should your baby actually be doing right now?

Most parents are never told this: milestones are not random. Your baby's brain is building itself in a very specific sequence, from the bottom up.
The brainstem first. Then sensory and motor foundations. Then coordination and balance. And only once those layers are solid does the brain move into attention, language and learning. The right hemisphere develops before the left. The sequence is the design.
This means every stage your baby moves through, tummy time, rolling, crawling, sitting, has a neurological purpose. It is not just cute. It is construction.

Now, timing does vary. Prematurity, birth circumstances and temperament all play a role, and there is genuine normal variation between babies. A baby sitting at 8 months rather than 6 is not behind.
What concerns me far more than timing is skipping. Because you cannot build the top floor before the foundations have set.
Every stage is worth supporting fully, at whatever pace your baby sets.
Questions about where your bub is at?
Stay tuned for my free Milestones booklet!

⚠️ I know they look fun and I always cop a bit of heat for posting.... But as a neurodevelopmental practitioner, baby wa...
18/03/2026

⚠️ I know they look fun and I always cop a bit of heat for posting.... But as a neurodevelopmental practitioner, baby walkers are one of the things I feel really strongly about.

Here's why I don't recommend them and it goes deeper than most people realise.

Walking is not just about legs. It's a whole body, whole brain milestone that unfolds in a very specific sequence:

Rolling > Sitting > Crawling > Pulling to stand > Cruising > Walking

Each stage matters. Each one is building something.

When we put a baby in a walker before they're developmentally ready, we're skipping that sequence. And skipping steps has consequences.

What crawling actually does for the brain:
🔹 Integrates the ATNR reflex (crucial for reading and writing later)
🔹 Develops the corpus callosum, the bridge between the two sides of the brain
🔹 Builds bilateral coordination
🔹 Establishes the cross pattern movement the body uses for life

Walkers also place babies in positions their hips, spine, and nervous system aren't ready for. They shift weight forward onto tiptoes, bypassing the heel strike pattern needed for healthy gait.

And practically, they delay independent walking, not speed it up. Multiple studies have confirmed this.

If you want to encourage movement, the best thing you can do is give your baby floor time. Let them figure out how to get where they want to go. That problem solving is neurological gold.

Any questions? Ask me below 👇

"My baby hates tummy time." I hear this SO often. And I get it. But here's why we can't skip it.Tummy time isn't just ab...
17/03/2026

"My baby hates tummy time." I hear this SO often. And I get it. But here's why we can't skip it.

Tummy time isn't just about building a strong neck. It's one of the most important things you can do in those first months to support your baby's entire neurodevelopmental journey.

Here's what's actually happening when your baby lies on their tummy:

🔸 They're working to integrate early reflexes like the Moro and ATNR
🔸 They're building the foundations for rolling, crawling, and eventually walking
🔸 They're developing the core strength and body awareness their nervous system needs
🔸 They're activating pathways in the brain that support coordination, attention, and even learning later on

The goal isn't a set number of minutes. The goal is regular, varied, supported floor time from day one.

Some tips if your baby protests:
✔️ Try it on your chest rather than the floor. Skin to skin tummy time counts!
✔️ Get down at their eye level and talk to them
✔️ Use a rolled towel under their chest to prop them up slightly
✔️ Short and frequent is better than one long session

And if your baby genuinely cannot tolerate tummy time at all, not just dislikes it but really struggles, that's worth paying attention to. It can sometimes be an early sign that the nervous system needs some support.

Save this one for your new mum friends 💛

🧠 Did you know your baby is born with a set of automatic survival programmes built right into their nervous system?They'...
16/03/2026

🧠 Did you know your baby is born with a set of automatic survival programmes built right into their nervous system?

They're called primitive reflexes and most parents have never heard of them.

When your baby grips your finger, turns their head toward your cheek, or startles at a sudden noise, that's not random. That's their brainstem doing exactly what it's meant to do in those first weeks of life.

Here's the thing though: these reflexes are only supposed to be temporary.

As your baby's brain develops, each reflex should gradually integrate, meaning the higher brain takes over and the automatic response fades. This integration happens in a predictable sequence, usually across the first 12 months.

When reflexes integrate on time, we see smooth motor development, good body awareness, settled behaviour, and a nervous system that feels safe.

When they don't? That's where things get interesting and it's a big part of what I work with in my practice.

As a neurodevelopmental practitioner specialising in primitive reflex integration, I've seen how much a retained reflex can quietly affect a child's development, sometimes in ways families don't connect to their early months at all.

This week I'm sharing a series all about baby movement, development, and what to look for in those first 12 months. Save this post and follow along 👇

Three brain areas. Three pieces of the same puzzle.The cerebellum coordinates timing and rhythm.The parietal lobe builds...
15/03/2026

Three brain areas. Three pieces of the same puzzle.

The cerebellum coordinates timing and rhythm.
The parietal lobe builds the body's internal map.
The prefrontal cortex uses all of that organised input to regulate behaviour.

When one is struggling, all three feel it.

And here is what gives me so much hope in this work: the brain is not fixed. It is adaptable. It can build new pathways and strengthen old ones, at any age, but especially in childhood. I won't lie, it's hard work, but it's also hard work supporting a child with a fragile nervous system! You get to CHOOSE your hard.

Primitive reflex integration is one of the most powerful ways I have seen to support these three systems from the ground up. Not by targeting behaviour. By going back to the very foundations the brain needs and helping the nervous system feel safe enough to grow.

If you have been nodding along to any of these posts, I would really love to connect.

You do not need to have it all figured out. You just need to start. 💛

Tegan

info@teganpiacentini.com.au

Right behind your child's forehead sits the part of the brain that everyone seems to want to fix first.The prefrontal co...
14/03/2026

Right behind your child's forehead sits the part of the brain that everyone seems to want to fix first.

The prefrontal cortex. Impulse control. Planning. Emotional regulation. Flexible thinking.

It is the part parents and teachers focus on when they say "they need to learn to manage themselves."

But here is what most people do not realise: the prefrontal cortex is the last part of the brain to come fully online, and it depends entirely on everything below it being organised first.

If sensory input is overwhelming, if timing signals are inconsistent, if the nervous system is stuck in protection mode, the prefrontal cortex simply cannot do its job. It shifts into survival rather than thinking.

So many of the behaviours that look like defiance or not caring are actually a sign that the deeper brain systems are overloaded.

This is why in my work we do not start at the top. We start at the very beginning, with primitive reflexes and the foundations the brain needs to grow from. 🌱

Tegan 🌿
info@teganpiacentini.com.au

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South Bunbury, WA
6230

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