GM.A.20 ON TUMMY, TAKES WEIGHT ON EXTENDED ARMS

This is an important step towards crawling. Until the child has sufficient strength to be able to push up on straight arms from her tummy, she will not be able to crawl. This skill also contributes to the child’s ability to sit for any length of time. It is important for her Fine Motor development, as well, as she needs a stable shoulder girdle to reach.

How to Assess

Method: Place your child on her tummy and rattle a toy above and in front of her head. Score plus if your child pushes lip on her hands until her elbows are straight, and maintains this position for 5 seconds. Her chin must be tucked in.

How to Teach

There are several ways in which you can encourage your child to prop on straight arms.

Lay her on a large beach ball with her arms stretched out in front of her. Holding her legs at the hips, knees or ankles roll her forward until her hands reach the ground (or, if it’s easier, a low coffee table or box). Lean her weight onto her hands and gently twist her hips so she takes her weight through alternate arms.

Try kneeling and sitting back on your heels with your babyon her tummy down your thighs with her hands on the floor. Holding her at her hips or thighs, lean her forward onto her hands. Gently twist her hips from side to side, so she takes her weight on one side then the other.

If you find it difficult to keep your child’s elbows straight, you may need to bandage a piece of cardboard around her arms, to act as a support. Your therapist may make you a back-slab to bandage on, instead of cardboard. If you use these supports, practise occasionally without them, So that your child does not become dependent on them.

Positioning, Carrying and Playing

Once again, your pick up and put down positions are most important. The ‘put down’ described below incorporates taking weight on straight arms, along with a twist in the trunk (essential for all future balance) and the ‘knee to the sky’ position, which your baby will use to get into and out of crawling. If you can train yourself to consistently use this method for the next few months, you will find you are preparing your baby well for all her crawling, pull to stand and early walking activities.

You have already been placing your baby down on her arms – incorporating a twist (GM.A.5,GM.A.11). Now, put your baby down onto 2 straight arms and 1 foot, with the ‘knee to the sky’ (see note below). From here,gradually lower her onto her other thigh. You can make this harder for her by leaving her longer on the ‘midway’ position. If possible, leave her to get herself down onto her tummy, otherwise, help her down.

Leave your child to play in the side sitting/side lying position, with crisscross ankles, top knee to the sky, leaning on her arms. You could have her supported by furniture, such as a beanbag. Continue to nurse your child as described in GM.A.17.

Pick your child up, and continue to carry her in this position (GM.A.17) – remember the twist!

‘Knee to the sky’

The ‘knee to the sky’ position means that in either a sitting or lying position 1 foot is flat on the surface and the knee or that leg is then pointing up or ‘to the sky’. It is essential that the foot is flat on tire surface in this position. The ankles will usually be crossed and the child will lean to one side. This is an essential off-centre position which helps in the valuable rotation or twisting action.