GM.A.12 ON TUMMY, LEGS NOT ALWAYS FROGGED, RANDOM KICKING

This is an important progression, clearing the way for further development of movement. Keeping the legs in a wide-apart position can become a habit affecting the child’s ability to crawl, balance and eventually walk, run and climb with a normal gait. Because it interferes with correct balance responses, a wide-apart gait can contribute to a fear of movement. This problem can easily be avoided by discouraging the child from keeping her legs apart – starting now!

How to Assess

Method: Place the child on her tummy on the floor. Score plus if she lies with her legs in a variety of positions, no longer consistently in a frogged position, with knees turned out. She should bend and straighten her knees, one at a time, perhaps rubbing her straight leg with the other foot. Her legs should be closer together for much of the time.

How to Teach

From now on, NEVER let your child lie with her legs apart. If necessary, keep her legs together in one of the following ways:

• Sew together two tennis wristbands. Place this on the child’s thighs.
• Wind a tennis headband twice around one thigh, then twist it and wind it once around the other thigh.
• Pull one leg of a pair of pantihose up the child’s legs, so she has it encasing her from her knees to her waist (mermaid position).
• Sew together the legs of a pair of loose-fitting overalls.

Such devices will not hinder your child’s movements. Children at risk of developing a wide gait can wear them all day – while sitting, crawling, pulling to stand and walking.

Positioning, Carrying and Playing

Keep your child’s legs together whenever she is on her tummy, on her side or supported in a sitting position (for example, in a car seat). Always carry her with her legs together; NEVER carry her with her legs apart over your hip. If your child has stiff legs, it is advisable to consult a therapist. Continue to carry, pick up and put down and position as described in the previous item.