Rolling is one of the first forms of independent mobility your child will learn how to do. This is when they start to learn that they can control their body to explore their environment. In terms of teaching rolling I always find it easier to teach them how how to go from their back to their stomach. Often rolling from stomach to back happens as they spend more time on their tummy and begin to push up to extended arms.
I generally start with the baby on their back and find a toy or something that is really motivating to them. I use this toy (or motivating object) and get their attention. I slowly move the object, keeping it in their view, towards the side I want them to roll to and towards the top of their head. At the same time I am giving some gentle assist at their hips to encourage rolling. Ideally they are already kicking their feet and lifting their feet off the ground at this stage of their life. This helps to engage their abs and encourage rolling using flexion rather than relying on a lot of extension through their body and head. Keep providing assist at their hips while engaging them with the toy and they will end up on their stomach. You may also need to give a little tickle or assist at the arm under the body to help them shift off of it. Please check out the video below to see a visual of what I am describing!
You can also have them spend time in sidelying and then use the same techniques as above so that they only have to go half the distance. This is a great way to break down rolling into smaller parts for them to master.
We will also talk about rolling from stomach to back in an upcoming post.