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Understanding Your Baby's Transition From Crawling To Walking
Most parents intuitively understand that babies develop at their own pace. Some learn their first words sooner than others. Some demonstrate cognitive development faster. And some make the transition from crawling to walking before their peers. But, millions of moms and dads grow concerned when their little ones don't start toddling according to a "standard" timetable.
It's not a race. Some babies simply require a little more time to make the transition. In this article, we'll take a look at the reasons why as well as a few things parents can do to make the changeover easier.
The Power Of Subtle Parental Encouragement
Some infants develop an amazing crawling ability. In fact, many learn to crawl faster than their peers can walk. Similar to the way some adults can "hunt and peck" faster than others type normally, a lot of babies become adept crawlers. As a result, they're a bit slower in acquiring an interest in walking. After all, they're doing just fine on all fours.
Moms and dads can play an important role in their little one's development by providing subtle encouragement. For example, try placing your baby's favorite toys on your couch rather than on the floor. If she begins to use nearby furniture to support herself while reaching for the couch, gradually move that furniture further away. Eventually, she'll develop an interest in walking, if only to retrieve her toys.
Providing More Floor Time
Some babies don't develop an interest in walking simply because they're not given the opportunity. They need plenty of floor time to not only explore, but to learn how to properly balance themselves without support. If your little one is spending most of her day cooped up in her playpen, she won't have reason to use her legs. Similarly, if she is always in her walker, she'll start to depend on it to catch her if she loses balance. That can work against her learning to walk in the long run.
Are You A Hurdle?
At some point between the age of 10 and 16 months, your baby will pull herself up and learn to cruise about on her feet. In most cases, babies will learn regardless of what their parents do. However, there are times when parents can become a formidable obstacle to their children learning to walk at their own developmental pace. For example, if your baby loses her balance and accidentally bumps her head, you might be tempted to do everything possible to prevent future accidents. But, keep in mind this is how children learn. By preventing your little one from taking a few risks, you may be standing in her way.
Making the move from crawling to walking is a big step for your baby. Don't rush it. She'll make the transition at her own pace, even if she needs a little subtle encouragement along the way.
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