It is a fact that every phase experienced by babies is a source of excitement for the whole family: the arrival home after birth, the first smiles, the first attempts to speak, among other moments that are kept forever!
With regard to motor development, in the child's life a sequence of natural events takes place until its first steps. And it is normal for parents to look forward to each of these steps: sitting down; then crawl it; and finally the floor.
Precisely for this reason it is common to have some doubts. Many parents ask, for example, what is the right age for the child to start crawling. Still others would like to know what the real importance of this action is and if it is really needed.
Below, pediatrician Tatiana Miranda, coordinator of the Leforte Children's Emergency Room, answers this and other important questions about crawling.
Is there a right time for the baby to start crawling?
Tatiana Miranda, coordinator of the Leforte Children's Emergency Room, explains that most babies learn to crawl between 6 and 10 months. "Usually when he learns to sit without support," he says.
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But, the pediatrician points out, there are children who don't even crawl: "prefer to roll," worm? with your stomach on the floor, crawling around, or moving straight to stand and walk ?.
It is worth noting that any of the alternatives (crawling, rolling, crawling, etc.) is physiological and normal, and depends on each child. Therefore, it is the duty of the parents to have patience and wait for the evolution of the child.
Why is crawling important?
There is no denying that it is so cute to see a baby crawling! But why is this skill so important?
1. Strengthening Muscles
Tatiana points out that crawling helps strengthen the baby's muscles so that he can walk later.
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It is worth noting that crawling allows not only the strengthening of the legs, but also the arms of the child.
2. Psychomotor Development
The child's psychomotor development is nothing more than increasing her ability to perform various cognitive and motor functions, that is, performing increasingly complex activities.
Tatiana points out that crawling is the baby's first mode of locomotion on its own.
To understand the importance of crawling, it is important to remember that, from the earliest moments of life, the child tries to explore the world around him: first with his eyes; then with the hands, feet and gradually through the displacements.
And, since a body shift will allow the child to transport itself, exploring spaces, crawling can be considered one of the main stages of the child's development.
3. Psychological Development
Is crawling also very important for the child's development and psychological maturity? who will discover your ability to move without the help of parents, knowing your body better.
Crawling, will the baby feel? Free? to explore new spaces and also to move toward a particular person at any time he or she wants (eg, parent or grandparent, etc.) You will become aware of direction and begin to observe the things around you as you develop unique thoughts and reactions to them.
Is there a right time for the baby to stop crawling?
The same kind of doubt that arises initially? when the baby hasn't started crawling yet? may arise later. After all, how long should the baby crawl?
Tatiana points out that there is no right time for this. "Each baby has their time, usually they stop crawling when they start walking with support," he says.
Most babies take their first steps between 10 and 12 months of life. However, this can vary greatly. Each child has their own time and individual development.
Pediatrician Tatiana points out that walkers should never be used to facilitate the possible transition from crawling to walking. "The way the walker teaches is a wrong gait that forces the baby's spine," he says. "In addition, the worst accidents in children under one year are caused by walkers," he adds.
Tips to encourage the baby to crawl
Parents can never skip a step of the baby's motor development nor want to "hurry" it. However, some simple tips can encourage children to do certain actions, such as crawling.
Tatiana gives some guidelines in this regard:
- Put toys or things the baby likes in sight but out of reach;
- Be yourself in sight of the baby, but out of his reach;
- Put things like pillows, boxes and other objects creating interesting paths for the baby to walk through.
It is noteworthy that it is essential to have patience and respect the child's time.
What precautions to take when the baby begins to crawl?
It is essential to take some action when the baby begins to crawl. Tatiana talks about them:
- Make sure the environment is safe for him.
- Protect the baby from unevenness of the floor, stairs.
- Protect your child from entry into hazardous environments such as the kitchen.
- Close the house low plugs with guards.
- Beware of low coffee tables that have corners? where the crawling baby can hit its head.
- Be careful of dangerous objects on the floor.
- Watch out for tablecloths that are hanging at a height the baby can crawl over: it will pull and anything on the table may fall on it, causing a serious accident.
My baby doesn't crawl, now what?
Is it normal for parents to see that their child is not crawling? unlike other children of the same age and family life ?, feel worried.
However, as Tatiana explains, this concern should not exist if the baby is not just crawling. "Each baby has its time and, well remember, many do not even crawl," he says.
However, the pediatrician points out, if the child is about 1 year old and has not yet shown any manifestation in an attempt to get around, the parents should communicate with the pediatrician.
Crawling and Creeping: The Benefits. GymbaROO Online. (April 2024)
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