GM.C.103 WALKS UP STAIRS, HOLDING THE RAIL, ALTERNATING FEET

This is the mature method of stair walking and requires full weight bearing on alternate feet to allow placement of the other foot.

How to Assess

Materials: A set of stairs, as in GM.C.84.

Method: Ask your child to walk up the stairs. If necessary, demonstrate going up with one foot to each step. Score plus if your child walks up the stairs, alternating feet (one foot to each step), with or without using the rail and without your assistance.

How to Teach

This skill is an automatic progression from GM.C.99, provided that the stairs are not too high. It is virtually impossible for little legs to step alternately over large stairs. Your local preschool may have child-size equipment on which you could practise.

If your child persists in using 2 feet to a step, guide her from behind to bring her lower leg up and past her upper leg, to the step above. She will soon get the idea and will discover that this is a much easier method of stair climbing.