Crawling and walking are two of the most significant milestones in a baby's development. A baby often meets these milestones around 6-14 months of age. Nothing compares to the sheer delight and joy you experience when your little one goes from lying on their stomach to slowly rising on all fours and exploring the world around them. Or, when they let go of support and take their very first step. It's a magical moment that every parent cherishes. Knowing when your baby is about to crawl or walk can be tricky, but we will discuss a few telltale signs in this article to help you create a safe environment for them and to make sure that they have plenty of room to explore.
Developmental Milestones
As a young parent, each month brings something exciting to watch out for in your precious little one. Over their first year, your baby will go through five major stages of physical development, providing you with a front-row seat to their growth and transformation. Get ready to have your heart melting with every milestone they achieve.
- At two months, you'll see them building their strength, lifting their head and chest to look around as they lie on their tummy.
- Four months bring a desire to explore, and they'll be trying hard to roll over and push their legs in an attempt to move.
- By six months, they will start to crawl and tear around the living room like a tiny roller-derby skater.
- Nine months brings the joy of standing while holding on to something, proudly pulling themselves up tall.
- Finally, at twelve months, you may witness their first steps as they start to walk independently.
It is important to remember that every baby is different, and some babies may take more time to start crawling and walking. As a parent, you must support and encourage your baby as they progress at their own pace.
Signs your Baby is Ready to Crawl
Look out for signs such as:
● Increased Arm and Leg Movement
Babies often engage in active stretching just before they are about to crawl. This type of stretching helps them strengthen the muscles they will need to pull their bodies forward and up when they move.
● The Ability to Roll Over and Hold Their Head Up
One sign that your baby is on the verge of crawling is that you may notice them starting to hold their head up more steadily. They will begin to extend their arms and legs more deliberately and make other efforts to prepare their body for movement.
● Beginning to Stand When Held Upright
A very good indicator that your baby is ready to crawl is if your baby is showing signs of being able to bear weight on their legs. They try to lift their backs with the support of their legs and arms. They try to hold this position for longer durations when they have enough strength in their legs. With more and more strength and balance, they will be able to move around in a relatively short period of time.
Signs Your Baby is Ready to Walk
There are some things that alert you to the fact that your baby is now ready to crawl. Here are two major signs to look out for:
● Standing Unassisted
Standing is a major milestone for babies on their way to walking. After mastering this balancing manoeuvre, your little one is likely to take their first steps very soon. Signs like shuffling their feet and cruising around furniture are good indicators that your baby is close to taking off on their own two feet.
● Plummeting and Cruising Furniture
Are you noticing your little one taking a few wobbly steps, or maybe just teetering around behind the couch? If this sounds familiar, it could very well be a sign that your baby is about to start walking. Plummeting and cruising furniture is an important milestone in your little one's development. It is when your baby takes those hesitant steps towards a piece of furniture, holding tightly onto it for balance before pulling away for a few moments and then repeating the process. It is a great way for them to gain strength and coordination before actually taking their first steps. Also, look out for signs such as pulling themselves up to stand using furniture, bouncing and rocking, squatting down, and trying to take little steps.
Tips for Encouraging Crawling and Walking
You can help encourage your baby to start crawling and walking with simple activities.
● Begin with tummy time or floor time, which helps strengthen your baby's arms and legs.
● Introduce crawling and creeping by putting a toy just out of reach to encourage them to move forwards.
● Place toys in different directions, such as in front, behind, to the side, and above their heads. This motivates them to continue their progress with crawling and standing.
● You can also roll a ball back and forth and encourage your baby to reach for it or have them scoot around in a circle on the ground on their tummy to simulate crawling.
● Make sure all furniture and toys are securely fastened to the wall or ground to create a safe environment for the baby to explore. Also, remove any potential tripping hazards and keep things like electrical cords out of reach.
Exercises to Strengthen Core Muscles
Strengthening their core muscles through regular exercises is a great way to give them the support they need to move around. Let them sit supported by pillows, or lie down on the mat while you do gentle leg raises, hand raises and gentle massages. Doing these exercises with them can also be a great bonding time for you and your child. With a little imagination, even the simplest of activities can become great exercise.
Exercise to Stimulate the Mind and Muscle Connection
Talking with your little one and massaging their limbs can help to stimulate their development in more ways than one. Gently rub and massage their legs, arms, and torso. This helps increase body awareness and strengthens their muscles. Talking to your little one can help to stimulate their cognitive development and help reinforce the connection between their mind and body. A gentle massage and conversation can give them the stimulation needed for their brains to make the necessary connections in order to develop.
Also Read: When Do Babies Start Walking? Get Ready to Witness Your Little One’s First Steps!
Bringing It All Together
Crawling and walking are milestones in your baby's development. And, as a parent, there's nothing more fulfilling than watching your child take their first wobbly steps, knowing that they're on their way to discovering the world in a whole new way. As your baby begins to roll and crawl, you'll be able to witness their growing mobility and an increased sense of exploration. These milestones indicate not only your child's physical growth but also their cognitive development. At Raising Superstars, we understand the significance of early childhood development and offer a range of programmes designed to enhance your child's cognitive skills while having fun. Take a step towards your child's development journey by signing up for our prodigy programmes today.
