GM.A.42 ON BACK, FULL BALANCE REACTIONS PRESENT

Here the baby shows that she is able to use her head, trunk and extremities to prevent a fall, when lying on her back on a movable surface.

How to Assess

Materials: A surface that can be tilted, such as a large beach ball, a balance board, a blanket or sheet held taut at the corners or a waterbed.

Method: Place the child on her back on a surface which can be tilted. Tilt the surface slowly to the side. Score plus if she prevents herself from falling by ‘curving uphill’, with the uphill arm and leg coming out to the side for added balance. You may also see the downhill shoulder rotate forward at the extreme point of the movement.

How to Teach

Teach as for GM.A.27, but instead of placing the child on her tummy, lay her on her back.