Learning To Crawl

How to Help Your Baby Learn to Crawl   by Maria Cummings

If you're like me, and most other parents, one of the most exciting times for you is when your baby learns to crawl. It's a big milestone that most of us try our best to capture on camera. But is there a way that you can help your baby learn to crawl? The answer is yes-in fact, there are several ways you can accomplish this.

You can start before your child actually is close to crawling, and even before she rolls over. Many babies will show a definite preference for a certain toy. If your child has a toy she prefers, it can help you out a lot. You might want to buy a duplicate of this toy to have on hand, because it's going to get a lot of use! Moving the toy back and forth above your child will get her to follow it with her eyes and head, and then roll over to get it. This doesn't seem like it would really help with crawling, but the point is to get the baby used to going after the toy.

Once your child begins to sit up, take her favorite toy and set it in front of her. Look at how she tries to reach it. As she becomes more comfortable with sitting up, she'll probably go forward onto her hands to get closer to her toy. The better she gets at this, the farther away you can set her toy. Once it's far enough away from her, it will require getting on all fours, and finally crawling to reach it.

This won't work for all babies, but the toy can still be used. If your child will get on all fours but not move towards the toy when it's just stationary on the floor, try using it in a different way. For instance, your child might make a rocking motion backwards and forwards when on all fours. If she does, make a game out of it. Take the toy and get on all fours in front of her. As she rocks backwards, you should rock towards her with the toy. When she rocks forwards towards you, rock backwards a bit with the toy. Eventually you can rock farther backwards, which will encourage your child to crawl towards you.

Whichever method works best for you and your child, remember to always be positive. All babies learn on their own schedules, so don't get frustrated if you have a late crawler. As long as your pediatrician isn't concerned about when your child is crawling, you shouldn't be, either. Be sure to praise your child whenever she reaches the toy, and also when she doesn't reach the toy but tries. Lots of clapping and smiling will encourage her and give her the confidence to try again. Also be sure to let her reach the toy from time to time, so she doesn't get discouraged and so she'll stay interested. Pay attention to her mood and don't force her to play the game if she doesn't want to. With a little practice, you'll have that magical first crawling moment to put on tape to cherish always!

About the Author

Maria Cummings is a devoted parent, wife, and expert author on topics such as traveling with an infant and the latest in natural parenting.

While your baby is learning to crawl, you should be looking your house over, top to bottom, making it kid safe.  Crawlers can, and will, get into just about anything and everything.  Kid proofing your house accomplishes a couple of different objectives.  Most importantly, you will be making your house safe for your child.  You will also be using the word "no" a lot less, and this is very important.  Yes, a child needs to learn the meaning of the word but it should not be the only word they hear.

When children are learning to crawl they are also learning independence.  They should have ample room to explore and get into to stuff without being told "no".  Leave one of your lower kitchen cabinets unlocked, fill it with your plastic food containers and watch how much fun your child can have.  In just about every room in our house there is a least one cabinet, or basket, or something that our crawler can get into.  They learn quickly which doors are locked and which ones they can get into.  There is something about being able to crawl to door, open it, and pull everything out, that appeals to babies.  It is a lot more fun than being set in the center of the room with a few toys and being told to stay.

While we are on the subject of child proofing your house, we were weren't we?  Anyway, read this short article below for a few childproofing tips.

10 tips to make your home child-proof by Berry Everitt

Accidents in the home are a major cause of unplanned hospital or clinic visits, and homeowners with young children need to take special care to guard against mishap. Here are the top 10 actions that safety experts recommend they take to "child-proof" a home.

• Power points. Ensure that all unused plugs have plastic safety guards inserted to keep out little fingers.
• Blind cords. These should be wound round a fixture relatively high on the wall, as trailing loops can choke and even hang a small child.
• Bookcases. Make sure these are firmly fixed to the wall with brackets so that they cannot fall over when used as standing aids or "stairs".
• Stairs. Safety gates should be installed at the top and bottom of staircases - and kept properly closed at all times.
• Decks and balconies. Railings should be close enough together to ensure that a child cannot squeeze through them. If they are not, plastic mesh at least 1m high should be firmly fixed to the vertical railings and the floor.
• Medicines and chemical cleaners. They should be stored in closed, preferably locked cupboards, well out of reach of any climbable furniture.
• Stove. Ensure pot and pan handles do not project over the edge of the stove and do not leave a climbable chair or stool near the stove.
• Bath and shower. Place a non-slip mat or adhesive strips on the bottom of the bath and floor of the shower cubicle.
• Glass doors. Place stickers or decorative decals on the glass to ensure that the door is clearly visible when closed.
• Garage. The best strategy is to keep all children out of the garage, but, just in case, keep the cars locked, store dangerous pesticides and herbicides in a locked cupboard and ensure that the automated door switch and remote controls are placed out of reach.

Berry Everitt is the Managing Director of Chas Everitt Real Estate, property specialists throughout South Africa.http://www.everitt.co.za

Pages related to Learning To Crawl

Toddlers : Healthy Children : Preschool Games
Teaching Your Preschooler : Child Safety : Children Wanting To Learn
Educational Baby Toys : Potty Training Tips : Setting Rules