GM.A.2 ON TUMMY, RAISES HEAD AND MAINTAINS AT 45°

There are four directions in which the child must learn to control her head; lifting her head against gravity while lying on her tummy is one. The others are lifting her head when lying on her back, and lifting it up to the side when placed on alternate sides. The child first lifts her head up against gravity to turn it to either side, as in the previous item. Here we look at whether she can maintain her head at a 45° angle for 5 seconds.

How to Assess

Materials: A flat, firm surface

Method: Place the child on her tummy with her hands placed beneath her shoulders. Score plus if your child can lift her head off the surface so her face is at a 45° angle to the floor and maintain the position for 5 seconds.

How to Teach

With a very young or very floppy baby you may need to raise her head off the surface by putting a small wedge, pillow or rolled up towel under her chest. Her arms should be forward over the wedge to encourage her to push on her forearms and hands. Place your child so that your face can be level with hers, for example on a table or bed. Encourage her to lift her head by talking to her and shaking a rattle.

You may need to place your hand on her bottom to help her to anchor it, or place your hands over her forearms so that the effort of lifting her head doesn’t lift her arms backwards behind her. Always keep her elbows placed in a pushing position, directly under her shoulders. As it becomes easier for her to lift her head, remove any props, such as the wedge, and reduce your physical help.

A mirror at floor level will encourage her to lift her head to see her own face (a constant fascination). Make sure she has toys to look at, too. A large beach ball can also be used to teach this skill. Place the child on her tummy over the ball with her elbows placed under her shoulders. Use a rattly toy and, holding the toy in the same position, slowly roll the ball forward. Your child will need to lift her head higher to maintain eye contact with the toy.

Positioning, Carrying and Playing

As with all early Gross Motor skills, your handling and positioning of your baby are vital to her progress. Continue to place your baby on her tummy, as described in the previous item. Use the carrying positions described in the previous item to give her the opportunity to support her own head. Try holding your baby on your lap, supporting her with both your hands around her shoulders. Gently tip her towards you (only a tiny way) and wait for her to bring her head hack to look at you. You can then tip her (a tiny way, and slowly) to either side, and backwards, She should soon be able to keep her head in line with her body.

Fathers enjoy holding their babies on their chests when lying in bed in the mornings. It is very rewarding for the baby to see Dad’s face so close when she lifts her head up. Hold her elbows on your chest, underneath her shoulders, to encourage her to use them to push. Still allow her in her playtime to lie on either side, as the side neck muscles help her move her head forward, backward and to the side. For very floppy babies, it is still helpful to keep them firmly wrapped, arms forward, knees bent up, for sleeps, nursing and carrying.