The Impact of Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration on On-Task Student Behavior

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to study how Physical Activity (PA) can impact behaviors in a classroom setting. This study implemented PAs from the MNRI program to determine its impact on students’ on- and off-task behaviors. The study took place in a public Montessori school located in a medium-sized upper Midwestern city. There was a total of 16 children in the classroom and the grade levels included both first and second grade students, ranging from ages six to eight years old. Over the span of the six-week study (only Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays were days of observations due to COVID-19), students’ on- and off-task behaviors were observed. A combination of both quantitative and qualitative data was collected, and the results of the study showed that MNRI PA does aid in student behavior in a lower elementary Montessori classroom. The effects on the activities showed that there was an increase in on-task behaviors and a decrease in off-task behaviors post-intervention beginning the second week of intervention. This study also includes extensive descriptions of the MNRI archetypes and illustrations of the infant reflexes made available by permission from Dr. Masgutova.