[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-bPXyodTOQ&w=560&h=315]
In this video I show some ways to help your child learn how to crawl on their belly. I’ve talked about some pre-crawling items in other posts and this would still be considered pre-crawling but now its about pulling it all together.
When kids are on their bellies, they need to know that they can move forward. Often they will push up on their arms to look at something they are motivated by but they don’t yet know how to stay up while pulling themselves forward on their arms. You can give them a little assistance and stability to take them through the motion so they know its possible. Same with their legs. They often figure out how to reciprocally kick their legs as if to push forward but they don’ t know how to get the traction necessary to make the push. By stabilizing their foot or knee slightly you can give them the assist they need to get a feel for the motion. Sometimes they need a bigger boost (like a push from behind) to feel that they can move their body forward in this position. Once they get the individual components it just takes lots of practice and opportunity and motivation for them to develop this great skill.