GM.A.49 SITTING, PROPS ON A STRAIGHT ARM TO THE SIDE TO PREVENT A FALL

As we have said in the preceding two items, stable sitting results from a combination of head and trunk balance, and propping.

Sideways propping is usually preceded by forward propping (GM.A.34) and followed by backward propping (GM.A.61).

How to Assess

Method: Sit your child on a flat surface. From behind, gently tap her to the side from the opposite shoulder. Score plus if she immediately places her hand to the side, with her elbow straight, to prevent a fall.

How to Teach

Your child should by now be able to put weight through her straight arm. It is important in this skill that she should place her hand immediately to the side.

Once again, your put down (GM.A.30, GM.A.34) and nursing positions (GM.A.17) have been preparing her for this skill.

For variety, you could sit the child on top of a large beach ball which has been wedged between furniture so that it won’t roll. Kneel in front of the ball and hold 1 of her elbows straight with 1 hand (or use the arm splints you used in GM.A.34). With the other hand lean her over to the side until her hand is flat on the ball. Hold her in that position, letting her feel her weight through her arm.

Practise propping to both sides and then change to a firm surface. If her arms are too short to reach the floor without tipping her too far to the side, place a small firm pillow at the side for her to prop on.

When you feel that she can hold her weight through a straight elbow, tip her to the side and simply place her arm to effectively prop. Initially, although she can support her weight when her hand is placed, the reaction will not be quick enough to save her from falling.

Another method is to sit the child, then take her two feet and one hand together. Tip her to the free hand side, waiting for her free arm to come out for support. This must be tried to both sides.