GM.A.54 STANDING AT FURNITURE, TURNS AROUND AND REACHES WITH 1HAND

At this stage, the child develops the confidence in standing to let go 1 hand and reach for a toy.

Because she is anchored firmly on the floor, and is able to support herself with 1 hand only, she is also able to rotate her trunk around to obtain a toy or look at Mum or Dad.

How to Assess

Method: Stand your child at a chest-high table. Stand to her side and slightly behind her, and offer her a favourite toy. Score plus if your child can release 1 hand and turn around, attempting to grasp the toy or to ‘talk’ to you.

How to Teach

To achieve this skill, the child must be able to maintain balance while transferring weight. In order to do this, her tummy and hip extensor muscles must work together to hold her pelvis in the best position.

Refer to the balance exercises in the introduction to Sequence GM.B. Begun now, these exercises will help avoid the development of problems with posture or balance.