We get a lot of questions about rolling so I thought I would add a few more videos in this post as well as do some bullet point tips based on questions we get. And, don’t forget to check out our Rolling Gross Motor Program!
This is a little trick that can work for rolling in any direction! Because it’s an unstable surface it makes it easier for your little one to ‘topple’ over. You may still need to help some but not as much!
In this video we break down the steps for rolling from stomach to back. Often kids will roll this way reflexively and then you won’t see them do it again. It’s ok. Just keep working on tummy time and weight shifting and reaching! Another thing to pay attention to is where are their arms. If they are really wide it will be harder for them to roll. Help them bring their arms under their shoulders so there is a smaller base of support making it easier to roll! This video has a long and short version. I’ve included both!
Longer:
Shorter:
Another question we get a lot is if your little one is only rolling in one direction. My first go to for this is to block the side that they prefer to roll to. You can do this by putting them against your leg or the couch, or as I did (because I was trying to get him to stop rolling) the side of the crib. They will eventually figure it out. The other thing is to put the things they want on the non-preferred side. You can also work on rolling with them but blocking the preferred side and putting motivating toys/items on the non-preferred side really help!
We are also asked what to do if your little one resists your help. When this happens I tend to just take them through rolling motions a little faster and have a really motivating item for them when they complete the roll. I am not trying to get them to help me at first. My thoughts on why this happens is your little one is more aware of what is happening and they aren’t sure about the movement so they are stiffening up because they might feel like they are going to ‘fall’. By doing the movement faster and making it a game they learn that they are ok and get used to the movement. You should be able to go back to getting them to help in no time at all!
I also recommend using rolling early, to go in and out of tummy time. Even if they aren’t helping they are getting the vestibular input and feeling themselves move through space. I also find that it can help increase tolerance to tummy time for a few seconds because their muscles are already primed!
Here are two videos to get them to help as you guide them from their back to their belly!
What tricks do you have that work?