GM.A.1 ON TUMMY, TURNS HEAD TO EITHER SIDE

Turning her head from side to side is a very important step. It is the baby’s first movement against gravity. To turn her head the baby must shift her weight to the side. Shifting weight is a skill used in all future movement.

How to Assess

Materials: A flat, firm surface, such as a bunny rug on a table

Method: Place your child on her tummy on the rug. Score plus if your child can lift her head to turn to the opposite side

How to Teach

Place your child on her tummy with her head facing away from you. Using a rattle and/or your voice, encourage her to turn her head to look at you. If necessary, cup your hand on her forehead and guide her head up and around to see you. A large beach ball can be used to help teach this skill. Place the child on her tummy over the ball and use the techniques described above to encourage the movement. Gently roll the ball a few degrees side to side. Make sure that you alternate the side that you place her head on so that she gets equal practice turning to each side.

Positioning, carrying and playing

Give your child plenty of time on her tummy. Let her lie on a rug on her tummy and lie across your knees on her tummy while you call her and talk to her. Always give her a firm surface to push against. It has been shown that babies who are placed frequently on their tummies develop their Gross Motor skills more quickly than those who are placed mostly on their backs.

It is especially important that developmentally delayed, low-toned (floppy) babies are not placed to sleep (or play unsupervised) on their backs. An alternative to the tummy position is to wrap your baby securely in a bunny rug and place her on her side, taking care to alternate the side on which you place her. Place toys close by for her to look at. Another good position for your baby is to place her firmly wrapped on her side in a firm beanbag (again with things or interest to look at). The muscles at the side of her neck also help lift her head backward and forward.

Wrap your baby securely in a bunny rug when you carry her. Wrap her so that her arms are brought forward across her chest and her legs bent up. When she is held like this, the baby doesn’t have to think about controlling her arms and legs, and so it is easier for her to control her head. This firmly wrapped position is an ideal way to put your baby to sleep in the first few months.

Carry your baby up over your shoulder so that she is supporting her own head. If she is tired or has poor head control. lower her a little so that she can lean her head against your shoulder or face, but is free to lift it away if she feels she can. Alternatively, carry your securely wrapped baby in the crook of arms with her head above the support of your arm if possible. Do not carry your baby lying on her back in your arms. An alternative is to carry her lying on her side, facing out, both arms forward.

Every time you pick your baby up, carry her, put her down, bathe her and so on, you can help her to learn to control her head.