GM.A.29 ON TUMMY, LIFTS LEGS UP BEHIND, AND CLOSE TOGETHER

Once the baby’s tummy muscles and back muscles are working together, the pelvis is held stable.

From this stable base, her hip muscles are able to work to extend or lift back her legs. A stable pelvis also allows the baby to bring her legs together.

How to Assess

Method: Observe your child while she is on her tummy. Score plus if your child is seen to lift both legs up behind her, less than 12 cm apart, and spends time playing in this position.

How to Teach

Note: This skill should not he taught to children with cerebral palsy.

You are already working towards this skill when you help her to stand, as this helps strengthen her hip extensor muscles.

Also important to this skill is keeping her legs together as she lies on her tummy and while you carry her. If your baby’s legs are not together, refer to the techniques described in GM.A.12.

Hold your baby at arm’s length in the air and play ‘aeroplanes’. Support her only around the trunk. This position in itself encourages total extension.

Stroking her along her entire spine downward from her head will stimulate her muscles.

If an older child in your household has a ‘swivel board’ (a small board on castors), try placing your baby on her tummy on this board and guiding it down a gentle slope. This helps lift both the head and legs.

Positioning, Carrying and Playing

The most important principle is to keep your child’s legs together whenever she is on the floor and whenever you carry her. Avoid carrying her on your hip and any equipment which holds her legs apart.