How to teach a child to crawl: tips for parents

Every mother with trepidation and impatience watches the progress of her baby. All significant events are carefully recorded in the diary - when the child began to roll over, when he said the first “Agu”, when the first tooth appeared. One of the main events and achievements of the first year of a child’s life is the ability to crawl independently. When a child begins to crawl, his outlook changes completely. He no longer needs someone to ask for himself. Now he can move himself wherever he pleases.

Many people think that crawling is very easy, and most parents complain about the long-term inability of the child to crawl. In fact, in order for the child to stand on all fours, lift the body and begin to move on the four points of support, a lot of effort must be expended. For this, the muscles of the legs and arms should be sufficiently developed by the baby.So do not worry that the baby is still not crawling, perhaps he is not yet strong.

When the baby should start crawling

Crawling baby starts about five months. At this time, he is still weak on his knees, staggers and often falls. By seven months, the baby is usually perfectly fluent in the acquired skill and creeps very quickly. The latest time to start crawling is 9 months. It happens that the child does not crawl at all, but immediately begins to walk, closer to the year. But such a development is highly undesirable. After all, when a baby crawls, he strengthens the muscles of the legs, arms and spine, he learns to coordinate his movements and even to think.

The ability to crawl depends not only on the physical fitness of the crumbs. Everyone knows that full children begin to crawl, walk and move a little later.Psychological behavior in the family also influences crawling. If the baby is provided with any toy on demand, why should he try to move somewhere?

How to strengthen the muscles of the child with the help of massage

Today, massage is one of the powerful stimulants to develop the physical skills of the child. Numerous reviews of young mothers agree that after the massage the child moves better and more confidently. In general, massage, even if it is tonic, is needed for every child, even an absolutely healthy one.

Usually up to a year, the baby takes three courses of massage for 10 sessions each. The first course is done in 3 months, after which the baby begins to turn more actively and confidently from back to belly. The second course makes about 6-7 months. The second course is aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back, legs and arms. After such a massage, the baby often begins to crawl actively, trying to sit down independently. The third course of massage is done closer to the year in order to prepare the child’s muscles for an upright position.

Of course, massage - this is not a mandatory event, the child will be able to successfully crawl and walk without it.However, massage can accelerate this process, strengthen and improve the body of the baby. It is best to contact a professional for a massage. At least a few sessions should make a master of his craft. Then, looking at the movements of the masseur, the mother can repeat the massage herself at home.

Massage should be done in a warm room so that the child does not freeze. First, the baby is stripped naked and placed on a warm clean diaper. For massage, it is best to use baby oil. After that, every part of the body is kneaded - first, feet, legs, palms, hands, therefore the back, tummy and neck. It is very important to monitor the strength and directions of the massage therapist. Because as with hypertonus, stroking movements are performed, and with hypotonus, muscle clapping with the edge of the palm.

Massage should be daily, preferably days not to miss. Each massage should last at least 10-15 minutes to get the proper effect. The fact that after a session of a good quality massage the babies sleep a long and deep sleep speaks about the benefits of the massage.

Muscle training exercises

To the child began to crawl quickly, it must be trained.These simple exercises will help you strengthen the muscles of the crumbs and teach him to crawl.

1. This is one of the easiest exercises that trains baby hands. To do this, put the six-month old baby on the changing table and let him hold on to a thin wand. After that, you should carefully lift the stick. This exercise helps the child to withstand the weight of his own body. But be careful that the child does not hit the head, if you suddenly let go of the wand. If the baby does not want to hold on to the stick, you can offer him a toy.
2. For the next exercise, you will need a towel or a small blanket. From a piece of fabric you need to twist the roller and put it under the child's chest. Hands should hang down from the roller, the back should be slightly arched, and the stomach should lie on the floor. In this position, the baby trains the vestibular apparatus, learns to coordinate its movements. Playing in this way makes it very easy for a child to grab toys with both hands.
3. The following exercise will teach your child to stand on all fours. Gently place the child on your knees, but keep the baby at chest and belly level.You kind of put the child on four points of support, but keep the weight yourself. You can also put the baby on his chest and belly on an oblong pillow. The kid will instinctively want to find a foothold and stand on the palms and knees.
4. Sometimes the child simply does not understand what you want from him. Show your baby how to crawl on all fours by example. Put the child on all fours and gently move his arms and legs. Just alternately move his right arm, left leg, etc. from place to place. At the same time, it is possible to attract a child with a new toy or a brilliant thing, so that the baby wants to move forward.
5. It so happens that the child is firmly on all fours, but still does not know how to crawl. In this case, you need to make support for the feet of the baby. When the child rearranges the leg and pushes away, put your hand behind the baby's foot so that he can push off and move. Gradually, the need for additional support will disappear.
6. Strengthen your back muscles using fitball. The baby is placed directly on the ball and gently rolls back and forth, side to side. All this should be done carefully, if the baby is afraid, the exercise should be stopped.
7. If your child does not want to crawl, despite all your efforts, you can use the following technique. Baby put on the floor on all fours, and under the breast and tummy miss a wide strip of fabric. For these purposes, you can use a sheet folded several times in length. After that, you need to lift the baby up and gently move it forward. The child will involuntarily move the legs and arms and will soon begin to crawl on its own.

If you do these exercises regularly, at least once a day, in a month you will not be able to catch up with your child - so quickly he will crawl.

Swimming

Exercises in water are very useful for any organism, especially children. In the water it is easier to move, and the muscles work as intensively. To teach a child to crawl, you need to allow him to swim in water for at least 20-30 minutes every day. It is best to use for this special swimming circle, which is worn on the neck. With his help, mother will be able to free his hands, and the baby will get maximum movement with absolute safety.

Teaching a child any skills is a long, patient work,which is priceless. Even if your baby does not crawl, all your exercises, massage and swimming lessons will not pass in vain. Training of muscles is aimed at preparing the body of a small person for erect walking. Thanks to them, the baby will be stronger and stronger. Love and appreciate your child as he is, even if he still does not know how to crawl.

Video: how to teach a baby to crawl