GM.C.99 WALKS UPSTAIRS, HOLDING THE RAIL, 2 FEET TO A STEP

This skill is an extension of GM.C.84, requiring an increase in confidence and leg strength.

How to Assess

Materials: A flight of stairs, as described in GM.C.84.

Method: Ask your child to walk up the stairs. Score plus if your child steps up one step at a time, holding the rail with one hand and with the other hand free. She may go up 2 feet to a step.

How to Teach

Your child should be happily stepping upstairs with you holding one hand, and moving her own hand on the rail. So now you can start to wean her off the support you are giving to her free hand Use all the tricks that you have previously used to reduce your hand support for other skills; by now you must know the lot! First move your support to the wrist rather than allowing her to grip your hand and practise lots of steps until she is used to that amount of support. Gradually slacken off the support so that she is not leaning on you or pulling on you. When you feel that she is no longer dependent on the support of your hand, lessen your grip and just hold the top of the sleeve of her jumper, close to her hand. This won’t provide any support but will give her the confidence of knowing that you are there if needed. Finally, just step up with her but don’t touch her. Once she has done this a few times, she won’t bother waiting for you to step up with her.