GM.A.57 PULLS TO STAND, RELIES ON ARMS, PASSES THROUGH

The baby can now pull to stand from kneeling. She still relies on her arms for assistance to pull herself up and she also uses them for balance. However, her legs are becoming more and more active and powerful and they are starting to do some of the work.

Once again, we see how the child’s ability to shift weight is needed. In kneeling, she shifts her weight to one side and takes the free leg out from under her, placing her free foot on the ground in front. She then transfers her weight onto this foot and pulls herself to stand. She is not yet very competent at this manoeuvre, as she doesn’t have the control to do it well, but it is a good start

How to Assess

Method: Place the child in a crawl or kneel position near a low table. Make sure she knows there are toys on it. Encourage her to stand. Score plus if your child pulls to stand, passing quickly through the half-kneel position.

How to Teach

Up until now, the child’s legs have worked in unison as she pulled herself to stand. Now she must learn to move 1 leg independently of the other, and this is hard for many children.

Again, we come back to the ‘side sitting, criss-cross ankles, knee to the sky’ position. Now, instead of the child’s hands being on the floor, place a low stool or coffee table next to her. She should rest her arm on this.

Now, holding her ankle and supporting her under her weight-bearing arm, assist her to push up on her arm and foot to stand. You will find that children find it easier to start pulling to stand against low furniture.

Practise using alternate sides to push up on. You will find that she will be happier doing it on one side more than the other. So practise a little more often on the difficult side.

Very often the first place a child will pull to stand spontaneously will be at your knees while you are sitting. If your child tries to do this, help her by placing 1 knee bent, foot flat on the floor, and holding both hands on your knees. If she needs more help, support her under 1 armpit but keep her hands on your knees. If you give her your hand to pull on she will feel that she always needs to grip something before she pulls up and that will limit the number of places at which she will attempt to stand.

The side of the bath is a favourite place to practise, with the reward of seeing the water splashing in and bubbling.

If you sit on the floor, she is sure to want to pull to stand, especially if she then receives a big cuddle!