GM.A.13 ON BACK, PLAYS WITH ARMS HELD UP AND AWAY FROM BODY

The child’s ability to play is greatly enhanced once she is able to reach her arms up, away from her body.

How to Assess

Method: Place your child on her back. Offer her an interesting toy or lean your face towards her. Encourage her to reach for the toy or your face. Score plus if your child reaches up towards the toy with both hands. She need not succeed in touching it. Her arms must be stretched out from her body, but not necessarily together.

How to Teach

If your child is unable to reach forward, place your fingers behind her shoulders and round them forward off the surface for her. Next, help just one arm to come forward and wait for her to lift the other arm herself. Alternate the side you help. Finally, encourage her to lift both arms herself. Always give her plenty of time to respond, as it may take her a little while to get organised.

Positioning, Carrying and Playing

Never leave your child on her back without interesting toys to reach for. Remember to position her as described in GM.A.4. Each time you go to pick her up, encourage her to raise her arms towards you first, using a consistent direction such as ‘up’. Hang something interesting over the nappy change table, within your child’s reach. Change the toy often, to maintain interest. Place your baby in a baby seat for short periods during the day. Hang toys near by for her to reach. Remember the rolled bunny rug under her knees. Remember carrying, pick up and put down, and nursing positions.