GM.A.36 STANDING, TAKES FULL WEIGHT

The baby is now able to take full weight on her legs. Her trunk and hip control are so well developed that she can stand when held only by her hands.

How to Assess

Method: Stand your child so that she is holding onto a rail (not leaning on furniture, as in GM.A.26, or holding onto your hands). Score plus if she can maintain this position.

How to Teach

You will already have been practising weight bearing. You can now help her to use the standing position in a practical way – that is, to play!

Find a chair, pouf or some other support which is approximately chest high. Lean her against the support, with her forearms resting on it. Place some toys on the support to encourage her to push up on her arms or to rest on her elbows to play. It is important that she stands with her bottom in. Continue splinting her legs if necessary (GM.A.10).

It is advisable to put your child into small ankle boots as soon as her fret are big enough. There are many attractive styles around. She may not need them for long, but it is wise to have her foot and ankle well aligned and supported at this stage.

If your child still needs to lean forward onto furniture in order to stand, try to increase the amount of times she spends in standing each day. Stand her at your knees while you are sitting, at the coffee table and at the open drawers in the kitchen (propped open for safety). Standing against the outside of the bath to watch the water filling is always a favourite. She will gain this new standing skill with practice.

Once you feel confident about your child’s standing, hold her at her hips and gently and slowly rock her just a few degrees to each side. This will help her to learn to bear weight through one leg at a time – important preparation for cruising around furniture and walking,