GM.A.37 ON TUMMY, TURNS IN CIRCLES

To be able to pivot on the tummy to obtain a toy is an important movement skill.

How to Assess

Method: Place your child on her tummy on a slippery surface, with toys at her side out of reach. Score plus if your child pivots on her tummy, pushing with her hands, or hands and feet.

How to Teach

By now your child should be confidently reaching out for toys when she plays on her tummy, resting her weight on 1 elbow, and should be pushing up on 2 straight arms to see ahead. This skill is a combination of those 2 skills.

Straddle her from behind, and when she leans onto 1 supporting arm, move the free hand out to the side towards the toy. Now lean her onto the reaching arm, so that she can bring the other arm across towards the toy. Continue this rocking movement from 1 arm to the other until you reach the toy at the side.

Initially, make sure that she requires only about 2 or 3 moves of each hand before the toy is reached, so that she sees a reason for the movement. When you feel her assisting you to do the movement, move 1 hand, lean her weight onto that arm and support the elbow – then wait for her to move on her own.

It is easier for her to pivot if her arms and legs are free of clothes and she has a one-piece suit on her body. The surface you at attempt the movement should be slippery. Without clothes on her hands (arms) and feet (legs) she can get a grip to push and her body will move easily on the slippery surface if she is enclosed in a jumpsuit.

Make sure you practise the movement to each side.