GM.B.117 WALKS ON TIPTOES FOR 3 METRES

You may query the value of this skill if you had no plans for a ballet career for your child! However, walking in tiptoes develops strong leg muscles and an advanced degree of balance.

How to Assess

Method: Ask your child to walk on tiptoes, or demonstrate. Score plus if your child can walk on tiptoes without her heels touching the ground for 3 metres.

How to Teach

By now your child should have developed considerable strength in her leg muscles, particularly her calf muscles, from lots of jumping. However, this skill requires a sustained contraction of these muscles for about 10 seconds.

Teach her by holding one hand and walking with her for a few feet, gradually releasing your hands from her grip. Watching ballet classes will inspire your child to practise this skill. There are also songs to encourage tiptoe walking. Associate tiptoe walking with being quiet and creeping up on Daddy!