Infants learn to crawl, cruise and walk in their own time. This cannot be taught, but it can be encouraged.
For optimum gross motor development an infant needs:
- Physical freedom on a clean floor with a safe, interesting environment.
- Space to practice, on her or his own, over and over again.
- To find their own balance and make their muscles do the necessary things to achieve the new skill.
Remember, when an infant is ready to crawl, sit, stand or walk, he or she will do so. An infant cannot roll over, sit or walk before the muscles, nerves and bones are developed enough to support these skills, so you need to provide plenty of time on the floor for the infant to strengthen the muscles he or she will need for crawling, cruising, sitting and walking.
What you can do is foster gross motor development.
- Give the infant the opportunity and time to practice each skill once she/he starts doing it on her/his own.
- Make sure there is space and materials in the environment to allow the infants to practice new skills that are likely to come next, as well as practice their newly mastered abilities.
- Be aware of the developmental sequence of motor skills.
Different Stages of Gross Motor Development:
- Rolling over – usually begins when an infant rolls over as she stretches a leg to one side while reaching for an interesting object.
- Crawling – usually begins by rocking on arms and legs, then crawling backwards, followed by stiff legged crawl, then cross-lateral movement of arms and legs. Some infants never crawl. Crawling is beneficial to all areas of development.
- Sitting alone – happens quite quickly after crawling. Gives the infant a larger view of the world and leaves hands free for reaching and grabbing.
- Pull to stand – the urge is strong towards the end of the first year, they will use furniture and people. Cruising – once standing, side steps soon follow, infant will hold onto anything available. Down and up – when standing and holding on will squat to pick up something from the floor and then stand up again.
- Stand alone – eventually will let go of support while standing, lasts only a moment or two. Usually first step soon follows.
- Toddling – after standing alone on two feet starts to “toddle” without holding on. Squatting – goes from standing alone to squatting position and back again.
- Running – comes before learning to stop. Climbing – often comes before standing alone.
To foster development further and extend play with the infant you can
- Place a toy in front of the infant for early crawlers to reach.
- Hold the infant by the trunk or fingers for additional support as he or she walks.
- Place a toy on a low shelf for the infant to pull up to stand and reach. Then move the toy along the shelf to encourage cruising.
Often an infant has been carried for the majority of his life and will not be comfortable with floor time. It will take time and patience from a primary caregiver to build the trust and confidence to enjoy floor time:
- Sit on the floor with the infant on your lap.
- When the infant is comfortable with this and can become interested in a toy, gradually place the toy a little further away and slide the infant off your lap onto the floor, keeping an arm around him to maintain closeness.
- Gradually remove your arm, but remain in close contact.
- Eventually you will be able to sit further away, yet still within reach.
This may take several days or weeks to accomplish and should only be attempted with an infant who has developed a trust and attachment with one caregiver.
Some activities you can try:
Dangling Beach Ball
- Suspend a beach ball tied to stretchy yarn or elastic from the ceiling so that it hangs about 6 inches above the floor for 4 – 9 month old and slightly higher for older infants.
- Place the young infant close to the ball.
- Observe as he bumps, pats and attempts to grasp the ball.
- Older infants will crawl or walk towards the ball as they hit the ball.
- Infants who are steady on their feet may try to kick the ball.
Safety Note – ensure the yarn is firmly attached to the ceiling.
Tunnels and Tents
- Use moveable furniture such as highchairs, large cardboard boxes, tables, chairs and a large sheet or blanket to create interesting spaces for the infant to crawl in and out.
- Place the infant on the floor and let him explore.
- Observe whether or not he notices the new arrangement.
- Does he crawl in and out of the new spaces?
- If she gets stuck, instead of rescuing the infant, get down on the floor, move in close and help her figure out how to get out by herself.
Safety Note – ensure nothing could fall over and hurt the infant. Stay close in case the infant gets stuck or frightened. Make sure that any heavy furniture is stable.
Ball Pool
- Fill a plastic wading pool with balls of various sizes, textures colours.
- Place the infants near the pool and allow them to explore freely.
- Observe as they climb in and out of the pool and throw the balls.
Safety Note – if young infants are using the pool place large pillows around the outer edge of the pool to ease climbing in and out.
RESOURCES:
LINC Childminding Requirements. 2002
Debé Carol. Mothercraft Infant Resource Manual. 2007
