# data[].attributes.body
Designate the roles below to members of your group:

One: Read the scenario and task to your group (out loud)

Two: Find links/relevant resources to support your ideas
Three: Add ideas to Padlet

Four: Time keeper (1 hour)

Five: Share to the whole group

or any other role you feel is relevant

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These are the steps your child may take on the path to becoming a confident walker. Learning to walk on her own involves much more than simply putting one little foot in front of the other.

These typical ages are just a guideline. Some children walk at eight months, while others may not walk until they're 18 months. See ways to encourage your baby to walk in our milestones article. If you're worried about your child's walking progress, speak to your health visitor.

Baby

Birth to two months
Your newborn has a walking reflex. If you hold her upright on your lap, supporting her head, you'll feel her trying to use her legs as if she's walking. This primitive reflex is her basic instincts kicking in and it disappears at around six weeks of age (Sheridan 2014).

Three to four months
Your baby can do mini-push ups, where she lies on her tummy and lifts her head and chest off the ground, using her arms for support (Sheridan 2014). This builds her upper-body muscles, which are crucial for walking. If you put her feet on a firm surface she can push down through her legs (CDC 2018).

Six to nine months
Your baby has started to bounce up and down when she's held in a standing position (Sheridan 2014). This movement helps to build her leg strength in the coming weeks and months.

At around seven months your baby will be sitting on her own without your help (Sheridan 2014). This develops her neck strength, head control, balance and coordination, which are important skills for walking.

By nine months most babies can crawl, and some can pull themselves up to standing and stay there (CDC 2018). Some skip crawling and move straight to walking.

Quick tip: Now's a good time to childproof your home, before your baby becomes mobile.

Nine to 12 months
Your baby is really starting to move! This is when some babies take their first steps (NHS 2016). She can pull herself up to a standing position with the aid of a sturdy object, such as a sofa or table leg and then cruise round the room (Sheridan 2014). She'll be able to taking sliding steps while holding on to something for support (Sheridan 2014). If you hold out your hand she'll be able to take it and walk alongside you.

Toddler

12 to 14 months
The first exciting solo steps may be taken, though it's normal for toddlers to walk any time between nine months and 17 and a half months (Sheridan 2014). Your toddler will take uneven steps with her feet wide apart and hold her arms outstretched. This helps her to keep her balance and stay on her feet.

Most toddlers can walk at this age. Your child may be able to start off on her own but she'll still fall often and bump into things (Sheridan 2014).

Ask for advice if... Your toddler isn't walking by 14 months or 15 months. Mention it to your health visitor or doctor if you're worried. But be reassured that it's still well within the normal range of development (CDC 2018).

If your baby is a bottom shuffler, she's likely to walk a bit later than if she crawled (Sheridan 2014).

16 months
With your help, your toddler can now get up and down stairs, although she may prefer to come down on her bottom (Sheridan 2014)!

18 months
Your toddler will probably be walking well by now, without needing to hold her arms out to balance. She may like dancing to music too, even if it is a little out of step with the beat!

Ask for help if... Your child isn't walking by now (Harding 2014). All children should be walking by 18 months, so if your child isn't, speak to your GP or health visitor.

19 to 24 months
Your toddler may increase her speed to a run and she can start and stop easily as well as being able to move around an obstacle (Sheridan 2014). She can also hold something in her hands while she walks.

Soon after her second birthday, she may learn to jump from a low step on to the floor. She may also start to kick a large ball (NHS 2016).

25 to 30 months
Your child can confidently walk up, but perhaps not down, stairs while holding on to a rail or wall but she'll need to put both feet on the step (Sheridan 2014). Comfortable with running, she's ready to play a game of tag or ring a-ring o'roses with you.

She probably loves playing on easy climbing equipment at the playground or at nursery, but make sure you stay close by (Sheridan 2014).

31 to 36 months
Your child can jump up and down with her feet together (Sheridan 2014), and move left and right.

By the time she's three, she should be able to walk up and down the stairs (Sheridan 2014) with one foot on each step, even if she's carrying her favourite teddy in one arm. She can run easily and climb well too (CDC 2018).

Preschooler

Four years
Your child is learning to balance and hop on one foot, and prefers using one foot over the other. She can ride a tricycle with ease and can run on her tiptoes (Sheridan 2014).

Did you know? The speed at which a baby learns a new skill is often inherited from her parents (Harding 2014). If you or your partner walked early or late, then there is a chance your baby will be the same (Harding 2014).

Discover other milestones to look out for in your baby's first year with our baby development video.

References

CDC 2018. Important milestones. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov. [Accessed June 2018]

NHS 2016. Birth to five development timeline. NHS Choices tool. www.nhs.uk [Accessed June 2018]

Harding M. 2014. Delay in Walking. Patient UK. www.patient.co.uk [Accessed June 2018]

Sheridan M. 2014. From Birth to Five years: Children's Developmental Progress. London: Routledge

Joanne Lewsley is a freelance copywriter and editor, and specialises in creating evidence-based parenting, health and lifestyle web content.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When will your baby sit, stand, crawl, bum shuffle and take her first steps? Every child is different - some babies walk at eight months and others at 18 months. Find out the steps your child will take to become a confident walker.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
These are the steps your child may take on the path to becoming a confident walker. Learning to walk on her own involves much more than simply putting one little foot in front of the other.

These typical ages are just a guideline. Some children walk at eight months, while others may not walk until they're 18 months. See ways to encourage your baby to walk in our milestones article. If you're worried about your child's walking progress, speak to your health visitor.

Baby

Birth to two months
Your newborn has a walking reflex. If you hold her upright on your lap, supporting her head, you'll feel her trying to use her legs as if she's walking. This primitive reflex is her basic instincts kicking in and it disappears at around six weeks of age (Sheridan 2014).

Three to four months
Your baby can do mini-push ups, where she lies on her tummy and lifts her head and chest off the ground, using her arms for support (Sheridan 2014). This builds her upper-body muscles, which are crucial for walking. If you put her feet on a firm surface she can push down through her legs (CDC 2018).

Six to nine months
Your baby has started to bounce up and down when she's held in a standing position (Sheridan 2014). This movement helps to build her leg strength in the coming weeks and months.

At around seven months your baby will be sitting on her own without your help (Sheridan 2014). This develops her neck strength, head control, balance and coordination, which are important skills for walking.

By nine months most babies can crawl, and some can pull themselves up to standing and stay there (CDC 2018). Some skip crawling and move straight to walking.

Quick tip: Now's a good time to childproof your home, before your baby becomes mobile.

Nine to 12 months
Your baby is really starting to move! This is when some babies take their first steps (NHS 2016). She can pull herself up to a standing position with the aid of a sturdy object, such as a sofa or table leg and then cruise round the room (Sheridan 2014). She'll be able to taking sliding steps while holding on to something for support (Sheridan 2014). If you hold out your hand she'll be able to take it and walk alongside you.

Toddler

12 to 14 months
The first exciting solo steps may be taken, though it's normal for toddlers to walk any time between nine months and 17 and a half months (Sheridan 2014). Your toddler will take uneven steps with her feet wide apart and hold her arms outstretched. This helps her to keep her balance and stay on her feet.

Most toddlers can walk at this age. Your child may be able to start off on her own but she'll still fall often and bump into things (Sheridan 2014).

Ask for advice if... Your toddler isn't walking by 14 months or 15 months. Mention it to your health visitor or doctor if you're worried. But be reassured that it's still well within the normal range of development (CDC 2018).

If your baby is a bottom shuffler, she's likely to walk a bit later than if she crawled (Sheridan 2014).

16 months
With your help, your toddler can now get up and down stairs, although she may prefer to come down on her bottom (Sheridan 2014)!

18 months
Your toddler will probably be walking well by now, without needing to hold her arms out to balance. She may like dancing to music too, even if it is a little out of step with the beat!

Ask for help if... Your child isn't walking by now (Harding 2014). All children should be walking by 18 months, so if your child isn't, speak to your GP or health visitor.

19 to 24 months
Your toddler may increase her speed to a run and she can start and stop easily as well as being able to move around an obstacle (Sheridan 2014). She can also hold something in her hands while she walks.

Soon after her second birthday, she may learn to jump from a low step on to the floor. She may also start to kick a large ball (NHS 2016).

25 to 30 months
Your child can confidently walk up, but perhaps not down, stairs while holding on to a rail or wall but she'll need to put both feet on the step (Sheridan 2014). Comfortable with running, she's ready to play a game of tag or ring a-ring o'roses with you.

She probably loves playing on easy climbing equipment at the playground or at nursery, but make sure you stay close by (Sheridan 2014).

31 to 36 months
Your child can jump up and down with her feet together (Sheridan 2014), and move left and right.

By the time she's three, she should be able to walk up and down the stairs (Sheridan 2014) with one foot on each step, even if she's carrying her favourite teddy in one arm. She can run easily and climb well too (CDC 2018).

Preschooler

Four years
Your child is learning to balance and hop on one foot, and prefers using one foot over the other. She can ride a tricycle with ease and can run on her tiptoes (Sheridan 2014).

Did you know? The speed at which a baby learns a new skill is often inherited from her parents (Harding 2014). If you or your partner walked early or late, then there is a chance your baby will be the same (Harding 2014).

Discover other milestones to look out for in your baby's first year with our baby development video.

References

CDC 2018. Important milestones. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov. [Accessed June 2018]

NHS 2016. Birth to five development timeline. NHS Choices tool. www.nhs.uk [Accessed June 2018]

Harding M. 2014. Delay in Walking. Patient UK. www.patient.co.uk [Accessed June 2018]

Sheridan M. 2014. From Birth to Five years: Children's Developmental Progress. London: Routledge

Joanne Lewsley is a freelance copywriter and editor, and specialises in creating evidence-based parenting, health and lifestyle web content.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When will your baby sit, stand, crawl, bum shuffle and take her first steps? Every child is different - some babies walk at eight months and others at 18 months. Find out the steps your child will take to become a confident walker.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When you think about exercise, you wouldn't tell babies to drop and give you 20. But the Society of Health and Physical Educators recommends that all children up to age 5 do some kind of physical activity every day. And yes, that means babies too. Baby exercises are an important part of infant development. Infant exercise can help strengthen baby's neck, help develop their hand-eye coordination and help baby learn to walk. So where do you start? From strengthening to baby yoga exercises, it's time to get baby pumped to move with these baby exercises.

If you've ever done yoga, you know how good a little Namaste can feel. And according to the experts, baby can benefit big time from some yoga too! "Yoga poses can help relieve baby constipation, colic and gas," says Claire Koepke, a registered yoga teacher in prenatal, postnatal and therapeutic yoga. "These simple yet efficient movements can also improve baby's sleep, in turn improving your sleep." Everyone's on board with that! Here are three simple baby exercises to teach your little yogi that can have lasting benefits well into toddlerhood.

This pose is something baby may already do and not realize it's actually a baby yoga exercise. Have baby lie on their back and put their legs in the air. Next, have baby hold their feet and sway back and forth. If your child doesn't grab their feet on their own, don't worry. Koepke says to "gently hold onto their feet, with the knees bent and opened wide, to facilitate the stretch for them." This is an excellent baby exercise to open hip muscles and stimulate digestion. Plus, it's just a fun pose in general!

Downward Facing Dog

This is a simple pose, but keep in mind that baby won't have the strength to do it until they're at least 6 to 10 months old, when they begin to crawl. Have baby put both hands on the floor and their butt in the air. "The best way to encourage baby to practice this inversion is by demonstrating it to them and making it feel like a variation of peekaboo, looking at them upside down and then rightside up again," says Koepke. "This playful pose helps with flexibility, motor skills and general crankiness."

Butterfly Twist

In this exercise, start by placing baby on their back and adjust the soles of baby's feet so they're touching in the air, making a butterfly shape. While gently pressing baby's feet toward their stomach, encourage baby's arms to open to the sides. Continuing to hold your child's feet in the butterfly shape, gently twist their legs side to side. If baby's arms are still active, Koepke advises encouraging them into calmness by placing your other hand softly on baby's chest and speaking in soothing tones. Some yogis, including Koepke, say poses like these with a rocking back-and-forth motion can help baby relax and find deeper sleep.

Baby Neck Strengthening Exercises and Tummy Exercises

When it comes to baby exercises, neck strengthening and tummy time are key. "Babies spend so much time on their backs early in life that spending time on their belly is important to build strength in different positions," says Sarah Johnson, PT, DPT, a pediatric physical therapist at Riley Children's Health. "Developing the back, core and neck strength creates the building blocks babies will need to progress in their development of gross motor skills such as crawling, sitting up and eventually walking." These allow baby to start supporting themselves and explore the world around them.

During tummy exercises and any baby exercises, also be sure to supervise at all times. When it comes to baby tummy exercises, don't force baby. Start with just three to five minutes a day and gradually increase from there.

This activity is always in the top 10 list of baby exercises because it helps to strengthen head and neck muscles as well as improve motor skills. "This position also is essential in preventing positional plagiocephaly (flattened head shape)," advises Johnson. Put a blanket or play mat on the floor and lie baby on their belly. You'll note that your newborn struggles to raise their head, but even this small movement is helping to strengthen neck muscles. This is a skill baby can use in so many other baby exercises. Turn tummy time into a mom and baby exercise by having baby lie on their back in front of you. Do a cobra stretch over them and watch your little one gaze up at you and try to lean up for a kiss!

Football Hold

Hold baby's body facing floor-ward under your arm. Make sure your arm is fully supporting baby's belly and chest. As baby looks downward and all around, they're strengthening their neck muscles.

Peanut Ball Exercises

Since not all babies are going to want to jump on the tummy time train, it's important to make baby exercises fun. What's more fun than a peanut ball? A peanut ball is just that: an exercise ball shaped like a peanut. (Some women in labor use them too.) For baby exercises, hold baby on top of the peanut ball, belly down. Next, roll baby gently backward and forward while holding them. This will help them get used to holding their necks and heads up.

Put Baby on Your Chest

Place baby on your chest as you lie down. Baby will lift their head to look at you! This helps strengthen those neck muscles. Eventually, transition to the floor and have toys nearby to keep baby's attention while they're on their tummy. If you want to make this a mom and baby exercise, lift your head and shoulders off the ground while baby is on your belly.

Exercises to Help Baby Crawl

Once baby's neck is strong enough to self-support, it's time to drop and give mommy or daddy four-all fours, that is. Babies are usually ready to crawl anywhere between 6 and 10 months old. These baby exercises will help get them on the move.

Hand Exercises

Before baby can crawl, they need to get used to having their palm open. Get your little one comfortable with the concept by having them stretch out their hands and fingers while reaching for objects. You can also massage baby's hands with a washcloth in the tub. While you may not think this falls under your typical baby exercises, open hands are essential to crawling. "In order to be successful and increase desire to crawl, babies need to have an open hand," Johnson says. "A fisted hand makes the exploration that is so crucial to early development tough to achieve."

Assisted Crawling

In this exercise, take a towel and fold it over a few times lengthwise. Have baby lay on top it. With both hands, lift either side of the towel so that baby's chest is resting on top of it but is off the ground, lifting baby's chest and belly upward as their arms and legs dangle toward the ground. This should help baby get used to the motions of crawling as you move side by side with them. As baby gets better at it, you can loosen your grip until they're moving on their own!

Once baby is crawling, you know what comes next: walking! Typically babies can start walking anywhere from 9 to 18 months. Don't get discouraged if your child isn't off and running right away. Walking is a major milestone and can take time. It's about developing strength and balance, so once baby has mastered these skills, they'll be on the move. Baby exercises that help with walking skills are a good way to start.

Sitting on a Stool

Since balance is a big part of walking, babies can practice balance by sitting on a stool. Make sure baby's feet can touch the floor and that an adult is nearby for safety. Have baby stand up, pick up a toy off the floor and then sit back down. This exercise forces baby to stand, practice balance and get used to having weight on their feet.

Bounce Baby

While the sitting on a stool exercise works on balance, the bouncing baby exercise will improve strength. Have baby stand up on your lap. Next, have baby start bouncing with their feet on your legs. You'll be holding baby's hands so you can start moving their arms up and down to get baby bouncing if they're not into it right away.

Have baby hold onto furniture and feel their way along as they move their legs. Have your little one hold one of your hands while they keep their hand on the furniture. Eventually, baby will gain the confidence to let go and do it all on their own.

As baby is learning to walk, avoid baby walkers (which have a wheeled base and a seat with leg openings). The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents not to use them because they can lead to serious injuries. Stick to baby exercises to get baby standing on their own two feet.

Baby Hand-Eye Coordination Exercises

When you think about baby exercises, hand-eye coordination may not immediately come to mind. But it's the cornerstone for many baby activities, like crawling and eating. "Babies start exploring their world and learning by use of their hands and their mouths," says Johnson. "By grasping objects and bringing them to their mouth they are developing a sense of self and the building blocks for smooth eye-hand coordination. Activities to promote this can begin as soon as 3 to 4 months of age." You can try the following baby hand-eye coordination exercises to help hone those skills.

Catch the Toy

Tie a small, soft toy to a brightly colored ribbon. Dangle it in front of baby and make it move. Baby will want to reach out and grab it. This will help boost those hand-eye coordination skills while also helping with balance as baby leans in to grab. This is a two-for-one when it comes to baby exercises!

Bubble Gaze

Have you ever seen a baby look at bubbles? Babies are mesmerized by them. Sit your child in a bouncy chair and blow bubbles. Watch baby follow the bubbles with their eyes. They may even raise their hand to try to pop one! This helps tune motor skills and hand-eye coordination making it one of the simplest, yet effective baby exercises.

While baby exercises are not meant to get babies into the tiny Olympics, they're an excellent way for them to get stronger and learn important skills. If you have specific questions about baby exercises, always consult your pediatrician.

Claire Koepke is a registered yoga teacher specializing in prenatal, postnatal and therapeutic yoga, and the director and lead teacher at Happy Baby Yoga in New York.

Sarah Johnson, PT, DPT, a pediatric physical therapist at Riley Children's Health. She earned her degree from Krannert School of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
14 Baby Exercises to Get Your Baby Moving

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When you think about exercise, you wouldn't tell babies to drop and give you 20. But the Society of Health and Physical Educators recommends that all children up to age 5 do some kind of physical activity every day. And yes, that means babies too. Baby exercises are an important part of infant development.

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Developing Gross Motor Skills Activity Ideas for Home
Some of the movements mentioned:
Egg​

Superman​

Mule kick​

Crab ​

4 point kneeling​

Half and high kneeling​

Balance​

Bilateral integration moves – ​

Ball skills​

​

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When you think about exercise, you wouldn't tell babies to drop and give you 20. But the Society of Health and Physical Educators recommends that all children up to age 5 do some kind of physical activity every day. And yes, that means babies too. Baby exercises are an important part of infant development. Infant exercise can help strengthen baby's neck, help develop their hand-eye coordination and help baby learn to walk. So where do you start? From strengthening to baby yoga exercises, it's time to get baby pumped to move with these baby exercises.

If you've ever done yoga, you know how good a little Namaste can feel. And according to the experts, baby can benefit big time from some yoga too! "Yoga poses can help relieve baby constipation, colic and gas," says Claire Koepke, a registered yoga teacher in prenatal, postnatal and therapeutic yoga. "These simple yet efficient movements can also improve baby's sleep, in turn improving your sleep." Everyone's on board with that! Here are three simple baby exercises to teach your little yogi that can have lasting benefits well into toddlerhood.

This pose is something baby may already do and not realize it's actually a baby yoga exercise. Have baby lie on their back and put their legs in the air. Next, have baby hold their feet and sway back and forth. If your child doesn't grab their feet on their own, don't worry. Koepke says to "gently hold onto their feet, with the knees bent and opened wide, to facilitate the stretch for them." This is an excellent baby exercise to open hip muscles and stimulate digestion. Plus, it's just a fun pose in general!

Downward Facing Dog

This is a simple pose, but keep in mind that baby won't have the strength to do it until they're at least 6 to 10 months old, when they begin to crawl. Have baby put both hands on the floor and their butt in the air. "The best way to encourage baby to practice this inversion is by demonstrating it to them and making it feel like a variation of peekaboo, looking at them upside down and then rightside up again," says Koepke. "This playful pose helps with flexibility, motor skills and general crankiness."

Butterfly Twist

In this exercise, start by placing baby on their back and adjust the soles of baby's feet so they're touching in the air, making a butterfly shape. While gently pressing baby's feet toward their stomach, encourage baby's arms to open to the sides. Continuing to hold your child's feet in the butterfly shape, gently twist their legs side to side. If baby's arms are still active, Koepke advises encouraging them into calmness by placing your other hand softly on baby's chest and speaking in soothing tones. Some yogis, including Koepke, say poses like these with a rocking back-and-forth motion can help baby relax and find deeper sleep.

Baby Neck Strengthening Exercises and Tummy Exercises

When it comes to baby exercises, neck strengthening and tummy time are key. "Babies spend so much time on their backs early in life that spending time on their belly is important to build strength in different positions," says Sarah Johnson, PT, DPT, a pediatric physical therapist at Riley Children's Health. "Developing the back, core and neck strength creates the building blocks babies will need to progress in their development of gross motor skills such as crawling, sitting up and eventually walking." These allow baby to start supporting themselves and explore the world around them.

During tummy exercises and any baby exercises, also be sure to supervise at all times. When it comes to baby tummy exercises, don't force baby. Start with just three to five minutes a day and gradually increase from there.

This activity is always in the top 10 list of baby exercises because it helps to strengthen head and neck muscles as well as improve motor skills. "This position also is essential in preventing positional plagiocephaly (flattened head shape)," advises Johnson. Put a blanket or play mat on the floor and lie baby on their belly. You'll note that your newborn struggles to raise their head, but even this small movement is helping to strengthen neck muscles. This is a skill baby can use in so many other baby exercises. Turn tummy time into a mom and baby exercise by having baby lie on their back in front of you. Do a cobra stretch over them and watch your little one gaze up at you and try to lean up for a kiss!

Football Hold

Hold baby's body facing floor-ward under your arm. Make sure your arm is fully supporting baby's belly and chest. As baby looks downward and all around, they're strengthening their neck muscles.

Peanut Ball Exercises

Since not all babies are going to want to jump on the tummy time train, it's important to make baby exercises fun. What's more fun than a peanut ball? A peanut ball is just that: an exercise ball shaped like a peanut. (Some women in labor use them too.) For baby exercises, hold baby on top of the peanut ball, belly down. Next, roll baby gently backward and forward while holding them. This will help them get used to holding their necks and heads up.

Put Baby on Your Chest

Place baby on your chest as you lie down. Baby will lift their head to look at you! This helps strengthen those neck muscles. Eventually, transition to the floor and have toys nearby to keep baby's attention while they're on their tummy. If you want to make this a mom and baby exercise, lift your head and shoulders off the ground while baby is on your belly.

Exercises to Help Baby Crawl

Once baby's neck is strong enough to self-support, it's time to drop and give mommy or daddy four-all fours, that is. Babies are usually ready to crawl anywhere between 6 and 10 months old. These baby exercises will help get them on the move.

Hand Exercises

Before baby can crawl, they need to get used to having their palm open. Get your little one comfortable with the concept by having them stretch out their hands and fingers while reaching for objects. You can also massage baby's hands with a washcloth in the tub. While you may not think this falls under your typical baby exercises, open hands are essential to crawling. "In order to be successful and increase desire to crawl, babies need to have an open hand," Johnson says. "A fisted hand makes the exploration that is so crucial to early development tough to achieve."

Assisted Crawling

In this exercise, take a towel and fold it over a few times lengthwise. Have baby lay on top it. With both hands, lift either side of the towel so that baby's chest is resting on top of it but is off the ground, lifting baby's chest and belly upward as their arms and legs dangle toward the ground. This should help baby get used to the motions of crawling as you move side by side with them. As baby gets better at it, you can loosen your grip until they're moving on their own!

Once baby is crawling, you know what comes next: walking! Typically babies can start walking anywhere from 9 to 18 months. Don't get discouraged if your child isn't off and running right away. Walking is a major milestone and can take time. It's about developing strength and balance, so once baby has mastered these skills, they'll be on the move. Baby exercises that help with walking skills are a good way to start.

Sitting on a Stool

Since balance is a big part of walking, babies can practice balance by sitting on a stool. Make sure baby's feet can touch the floor and that an adult is nearby for safety. Have baby stand up, pick up a toy off the floor and then sit back down. This exercise forces baby to stand, practice balance and get used to having weight on their feet.

Bounce Baby

While the sitting on a stool exercise works on balance, the bouncing baby exercise will improve strength. Have baby stand up on your lap. Next, have baby start bouncing with their feet on your legs. You'll be holding baby's hands so you can start moving their arms up and down to get baby bouncing if they're not into it right away.

Have baby hold onto furniture and feel their way along as they move their legs. Have your little one hold one of your hands while they keep their hand on the furniture. Eventually, baby will gain the confidence to let go and do it all on their own.

As baby is learning to walk, avoid baby walkers (which have a wheeled base and a seat with leg openings). The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents not to use them because they can lead to serious injuries. Stick to baby exercises to get baby standing on their own two feet.

Baby Hand-Eye Coordination Exercises

When you think about baby exercises, hand-eye coordination may not immediately come to mind. But it's the cornerstone for many baby activities, like crawling and eating. "Babies start exploring their world and learning by use of their hands and their mouths," says Johnson. "By grasping objects and bringing them to their mouth they are developing a sense of self and the building blocks for smooth eye-hand coordination. Activities to promote this can begin as soon as 3 to 4 months of age." You can try the following baby hand-eye coordination exercises to help hone those skills.

Catch the Toy

Tie a small, soft toy to a brightly colored ribbon. Dangle it in front of baby and make it move. Baby will want to reach out and grab it. This will help boost those hand-eye coordination skills while also helping with balance as baby leans in to grab. This is a two-for-one when it comes to baby exercises!

Bubble Gaze

Have you ever seen a baby look at bubbles? Babies are mesmerized by them. Sit your child in a bouncy chair and blow bubbles. Watch baby follow the bubbles with their eyes. They may even raise their hand to try to pop one! This helps tune motor skills and hand-eye coordination making it one of the simplest, yet effective baby exercises.

While baby exercises are not meant to get babies into the tiny Olympics, they're an excellent way for them to get stronger and learn important skills. If you have specific questions about baby exercises, always consult your pediatrician.

Claire Koepke is a registered yoga teacher specializing in prenatal, postnatal and therapeutic yoga, and the director and lead teacher at Happy Baby Yoga in New York.

Sarah Johnson, PT, DPT, a pediatric physical therapist at Riley Children's Health. She earned her degree from Krannert School of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
14 Baby Exercises to Get Your Baby Moving

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When you think about exercise, you wouldn't tell babies to drop and give you 20. But the Society of Health and Physical Educators recommends that all children up to age 5 do some kind of physical activity every day. And yes, that means babies too. Baby exercises are an important part of infant development.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Walking is the major milestone for kids this age, and over the coming year they'll get much better at it.

As kids' mobility improves, so does their ability to explore where they couldn't before. So take a child's-eye look around your home and update childproofing to keep up with your child's growing skills.

How Is My Child Moving?

Though some babies take their first steps around their first birthdays, most learn to walk in the months after they turn 1.

Kids who are learning to walk are called "toddlers" because that's exactly what they do - they toddle, keeping their legs wide apart and seeming to hesitate between each step, jerking from side to side as they move one foot forward, then the next.

About 6 months after taking their first steps, toddlers develop a more mature gait, holding their hands at their sides (rather than out in front for balance) and moving with their feet closer together. They also tend to move their feet in a way that looks more like walking - moving from the heel to the toe.

During these months of practice, most toddlers take a few spills, but this is part of learning to walk. You can't protect your little one from every fall, but you can reduce the risk of injury by only allowing exploration in safe areas (and away from furniture with sharp corners and other hazards).

After walking for a couple of months, your toddler will begin to feel more confident about walking and take on new challenges - such as taking a few steps backward, picking up and carrying objects, and moving while pulling a toy behind.

By the time they turn 2, most toddlers can run, kick a ball, and walk up the stairs.

How Can I Encourage My Toddler?

Give your child lots of things to do and see. Take walks around your yard and the neighborhood or visit a local playground. At home, you can make an obstacle course of pillows or boxes and encourage your child to walk, climb, and crawl through it. Buy a few balls to practice kicking and throwing.

Toddlers are using their hands more. Toys and craft supplies that help develop fine motor skills include:

paper and crayons

sculpting dough

stacking toys that kids can build up and knock down

simple puzzles

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Normal child development tends to follow a certain pattern. The skills that kids develop early serve as building blocks for future skills. Still, the time it takes to develop these skills can vary widely among kids.

Let your doctor know if your toddler doesn't do the following:

By 15 months:

By 18 months:

walk without holding on to anything

climb on and off the couch or a chair

scribble

By 24 months:

walk (not climb) up the stairs with or without help

run

Not reaching individual milestones doesn't always mean there is a problem. But talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's development.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Movement, Coordination, and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old

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Walking is the major milestone for kids this age, and over the coming year they'll get much better at it. As kids' mobility improves, so does their ability to explore where they couldn't before. So take a child's-eye look around your home and update childproofing to keep up with your child's growing skills.

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Aside from the classic five senses ( touch, sight, taste, smell and hearing), there are two less famous but equally important ones: Proprioception and the vestibular system. The classic five are external senses, processing information from outside the body. Proprioception and the vestibular system are internal senses, and process information from inside the body.

Highlights:

The vestibular system is one of our internal senses that controls our balance and motion.

This system helps us remain balanced, feel safe when moving, coordinate eye and head movements, and coordinate both sides of the body.

The vestibular system begins to develop in the womb. Once a baby is born, it's strengthened and stimulated through movement and changes in position.

Throughout baby and toddlerhood, movements like being rocked, gently swung, rolling, crawling, walking, and running all provide input for a healthy vestibular system.

The BabySparks program is a great resource for activities that stimulate children's vestibular systems.

The vestibular system is our sense of balance and motion. It uses information from fluid in the inner ear to let us know the overall position of our body, whether or not we are moving, and if we are moving how quickly and in what direction.

Let's take a look at how we rely on our vestibular system to function, and then we'll explore how it affects development.

The Roles of the Vestibular System

This system helps us:

Orient ourselves in space - The vestibular system tells us the position of our head, so we know if we are upright, leaning back, lying down, upside-down, etc.

Remain balanced - Every time we change position, the fluid in our inner ear moves. The brain tracks that movement and tells our body how to shift in order to maintain balance. This is how we're able to tilt our head back in the shower, lean to reach something, jump over a puddle, etc. without falling down.

Feel safe while moving - The vestibular system helps us feel secure while running, swinging, or simply stepping out of bed in the morning.

Coordinate eye and head movements - We rely on our vestibular system for activities like copying from a white board, watching a movie, or reading.

Coordinate both sides of the body - When we do things like walk, drive a car, cut with scissors or ride a bike, our vestibular system maintains equilibrium while our proprioceptive sense tells us how to use our body parts.

The Vestibular System and Development

The vestibular system begins to develop in the womb. Once a baby is born, any movement that changes his position or gently rocks, rolls, bounces, swings or spins him stimulates and strengthens his vestibular system. This sets him up for healthy vestibular development.

Stimulating the vestibular system also develops muscle tone, because it teaches a baby which muscles to stabilize to keep his body balanced in different positions.

Throughout baby and toddlerhood, movement including being rocked or gently swung around, rolling, crawling, walking, running, and climbing provides input for a healthy vestibular system.

Some children have trouble processing vestibular input. Signs of this in baby and toddlerhood include intense negative reactions to changes in body position or having the head tilted back, lagging behind on milestones, being afraid to crawl, walk, climb stairs and so on without help from an adult, constant fidgeting, trouble concentrating, or difficulty with fine motor tasks (including tracking with the eyes). If you notice any of these consistently, your pediatrician or a pediatric physical or occupational therapist can offer guidance.

Supporting Your Child's Vestibular Development

A strong vestibular system develops through movement, so keep your little one moving! Give your newborn tummy time and your older infant time to practice rolling and sitting. Rock your baby, dance with her, bounce her on your lap, and gently swing her around. Follow your crawler around the house, or chase your wobbly new runner through the park. The sensory and gross motor areas of our our BabySparks program are great resources for actives that stimulate the vestibular system.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Aside from the classic five senses ( touch, sight, taste, smell and hearing), there are two less famous but equally important ones: Proprioception and the vestibular system. The classic five are external senses, processing information from outside the body. Proprioception and the vestibular system are internal senses, and process information from inside the body.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Walking is the major milestone for kids this age, and over the coming year they'll get much better at it.

As kids' mobility improves, so does their ability to explore where they couldn't before. So take a child's-eye look around your home and update childproofing to keep up with your child's growing skills.

How Is My Child Moving?

Though some babies take their first steps around their first birthdays, most learn to walk in the months after they turn 1.

Kids who are learning to walk are called "toddlers" because that's exactly what they do - they toddle, keeping their legs wide apart and seeming to hesitate between each step, jerking from side to side as they move one foot forward, then the next.

About 6 months after taking their first steps, toddlers develop a more mature gait, holding their hands at their sides (rather than out in front for balance) and moving with their feet closer together. They also tend to move their feet in a way that looks more like walking - moving from the heel to the toe.

During these months of practice, most toddlers take a few spills, but this is part of learning to walk. You can't protect your little one from every fall, but you can reduce the risk of injury by only allowing exploration in safe areas (and away from furniture with sharp corners and other hazards).

After walking for a couple of months, your toddler will begin to feel more confident about walking and take on new challenges - such as taking a few steps backward, picking up and carrying objects, and moving while pulling a toy behind.

By the time they turn 2, most toddlers can run, kick a ball, and walk up the stairs.

How Can I Encourage My Toddler?

Give your child lots of things to do and see. Take walks around your yard and the neighborhood or visit a local playground. At home, you can make an obstacle course of pillows or boxes and encourage your child to walk, climb, and crawl through it. Buy a few balls to practice kicking and throwing.

Toddlers are using their hands more. Toys and craft supplies that help develop fine motor skills include:

paper and crayons

sculpting dough

stacking toys that kids can build up and knock down

simple puzzles

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Normal child development tends to follow a certain pattern. The skills that kids develop early serve as building blocks for future skills. Still, the time it takes to develop these skills can vary widely among kids.

Let your doctor know if your toddler doesn't do the following:

By 15 months:

By 18 months:

walk without holding on to anything

climb on and off the couch or a chair

scribble

By 24 months:

walk (not climb) up the stairs with or without help

run

Not reaching individual milestones doesn't always mean there is a problem. But talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's development.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Movement, Coordination, and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Walking is the major milestone for kids this age, and over the coming year they'll get much better at it. As kids' mobility improves, so does their ability to explore where they couldn't before. So take a child's-eye look around your home and update childproofing to keep up with your child's growing skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Vector illustration of human senses. Vestibular sensory system: sense of balance, maintaining head and body posture, direction and speed of movement, inner ear.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Picture of Vector illustration of human senses. Vestibular sensory system: sense of balance, maintaining head and body posture, direction and speed of movement, inner ear. stock photo, images and stock photography. Image 99646072.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Aside from the classic five senses ( touch, sight, taste, smell and hearing), there are two less famous but equally important ones: Proprioception and the vestibular system. The classic five are external senses, processing information from outside the body. Proprioception and the vestibular system are internal senses, and process information from inside the body.

Highlights:

The vestibular system is one of our internal senses that controls our balance and motion.

This system helps us remain balanced, feel safe when moving, coordinate eye and head movements, and coordinate both sides of the body.

The vestibular system begins to develop in the womb. Once a baby is born, it's strengthened and stimulated through movement and changes in position.

Throughout baby and toddlerhood, movements like being rocked, gently swung, rolling, crawling, walking, and running all provide input for a healthy vestibular system.

The BabySparks program is a great resource for activities that stimulate children's vestibular systems.

The vestibular system is our sense of balance and motion. It uses information from fluid in the inner ear to let us know the overall position of our body, whether or not we are moving, and if we are moving how quickly and in what direction.

Let's take a look at how we rely on our vestibular system to function, and then we'll explore how it affects development.

The Roles of the Vestibular System

This system helps us:

Orient ourselves in space - The vestibular system tells us the position of our head, so we know if we are upright, leaning back, lying down, upside-down, etc.

Remain balanced - Every time we change position, the fluid in our inner ear moves. The brain tracks that movement and tells our body how to shift in order to maintain balance. This is how we're able to tilt our head back in the shower, lean to reach something, jump over a puddle, etc. without falling down.

Feel safe while moving - The vestibular system helps us feel secure while running, swinging, or simply stepping out of bed in the morning.

Coordinate eye and head movements - We rely on our vestibular system for activities like copying from a white board, watching a movie, or reading.

Coordinate both sides of the body - When we do things like walk, drive a car, cut with scissors or ride a bike, our vestibular system maintains equilibrium while our proprioceptive sense tells us how to use our body parts.

The Vestibular System and Development

The vestibular system begins to develop in the womb. Once a baby is born, any movement that changes his position or gently rocks, rolls, bounces, swings or spins him stimulates and strengthens his vestibular system. This sets him up for healthy vestibular development.

Stimulating the vestibular system also develops muscle tone, because it teaches a baby which muscles to stabilize to keep his body balanced in different positions.

Throughout baby and toddlerhood, movement including being rocked or gently swung around, rolling, crawling, walking, running, and climbing provides input for a healthy vestibular system.

Some children have trouble processing vestibular input. Signs of this in baby and toddlerhood include intense negative reactions to changes in body position or having the head tilted back, lagging behind on milestones, being afraid to crawl, walk, climb stairs and so on without help from an adult, constant fidgeting, trouble concentrating, or difficulty with fine motor tasks (including tracking with the eyes). If you notice any of these consistently, your pediatrician or a pediatric physical or occupational therapist can offer guidance.

Supporting Your Child's Vestibular Development

A strong vestibular system develops through movement, so keep your little one moving! Give your newborn tummy time and your older infant time to practice rolling and sitting. Rock your baby, dance with her, bounce her on your lap, and gently swing her around. Follow your crawler around the house, or chase your wobbly new runner through the park. The sensory and gross motor areas of our our BabySparks program are great resources for actives that stimulate the vestibular system.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Aside from the classic five senses ( touch, sight, taste, smell and hearing), there are two less famous but equally important ones: Proprioception and the vestibular system. The classic five are external senses, processing information from outside the body. Proprioception and the vestibular system are internal senses, and process information from inside the body.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Vector illustration of human senses. Vestibular sensory system: sense of balance, maintaining head and body posture, direction and speed of movement, inner ear.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Picture of Vector illustration of human senses. Vestibular sensory system: sense of balance, maintaining head and body posture, direction and speed of movement, inner ear. stock photo, images and stock photography. Image 99646072.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When you think about exercise, you wouldn't tell babies to drop and give you 20. But the Society of Health and Physical Educators recommends that all children up to age 5 do some kind of physical activity every day. And yes, that means babies too. Baby exercises are an important part of infant development. Infant exercise can help strengthen baby's neck, help develop their hand-eye coordination and help baby learn to walk. So where do you start? From strengthening to baby yoga exercises, it's time to get baby pumped to move with these baby exercises.

If you've ever done yoga, you know how good a little Namaste can feel. And according to the experts, baby can benefit big time from some yoga too! "Yoga poses can help relieve baby constipation, colic and gas," says Claire Koepke, a registered yoga teacher in prenatal, postnatal and therapeutic yoga. "These simple yet efficient movements can also improve baby's sleep, in turn improving your sleep." Everyone's on board with that! Here are three simple baby exercises to teach your little yogi that can have lasting benefits well into toddlerhood.

This pose is something baby may already do and not realize it's actually a baby yoga exercise. Have baby lie on their back and put their legs in the air. Next, have baby hold their feet and sway back and forth. If your child doesn't grab their feet on their own, don't worry. Koepke says to "gently hold onto their feet, with the knees bent and opened wide, to facilitate the stretch for them." This is an excellent baby exercise to open hip muscles and stimulate digestion. Plus, it's just a fun pose in general!

Downward Facing Dog

This is a simple pose, but keep in mind that baby won't have the strength to do it until they're at least 6 to 10 months old, when they begin to crawl. Have baby put both hands on the floor and their butt in the air. "The best way to encourage baby to practice this inversion is by demonstrating it to them and making it feel like a variation of peekaboo, looking at them upside down and then rightside up again," says Koepke. "This playful pose helps with flexibility, motor skills and general crankiness."

Butterfly Twist

In this exercise, start by placing baby on their back and adjust the soles of baby's feet so they're touching in the air, making a butterfly shape. While gently pressing baby's feet toward their stomach, encourage baby's arms to open to the sides. Continuing to hold your child's feet in the butterfly shape, gently twist their legs side to side. If baby's arms are still active, Koepke advises encouraging them into calmness by placing your other hand softly on baby's chest and speaking in soothing tones. Some yogis, including Koepke, say poses like these with a rocking back-and-forth motion can help baby relax and find deeper sleep.

Baby Neck Strengthening Exercises and Tummy Exercises

When it comes to baby exercises, neck strengthening and tummy time are key. "Babies spend so much time on their backs early in life that spending time on their belly is important to build strength in different positions," says Sarah Johnson, PT, DPT, a pediatric physical therapist at Riley Children's Health. "Developing the back, core and neck strength creates the building blocks babies will need to progress in their development of gross motor skills such as crawling, sitting up and eventually walking." These allow baby to start supporting themselves and explore the world around them.

During tummy exercises and any baby exercises, also be sure to supervise at all times. When it comes to baby tummy exercises, don't force baby. Start with just three to five minutes a day and gradually increase from there.

This activity is always in the top 10 list of baby exercises because it helps to strengthen head and neck muscles as well as improve motor skills. "This position also is essential in preventing positional plagiocephaly (flattened head shape)," advises Johnson. Put a blanket or play mat on the floor and lie baby on their belly. You'll note that your newborn struggles to raise their head, but even this small movement is helping to strengthen neck muscles. This is a skill baby can use in so many other baby exercises. Turn tummy time into a mom and baby exercise by having baby lie on their back in front of you. Do a cobra stretch over them and watch your little one gaze up at you and try to lean up for a kiss!

Football Hold

Hold baby's body facing floor-ward under your arm. Make sure your arm is fully supporting baby's belly and chest. As baby looks downward and all around, they're strengthening their neck muscles.

Peanut Ball Exercises

Since not all babies are going to want to jump on the tummy time train, it's important to make baby exercises fun. What's more fun than a peanut ball? A peanut ball is just that: an exercise ball shaped like a peanut. (Some women in labor use them too.) For baby exercises, hold baby on top of the peanut ball, belly down. Next, roll baby gently backward and forward while holding them. This will help them get used to holding their necks and heads up.

Put Baby on Your Chest

Place baby on your chest as you lie down. Baby will lift their head to look at you! This helps strengthen those neck muscles. Eventually, transition to the floor and have toys nearby to keep baby's attention while they're on their tummy. If you want to make this a mom and baby exercise, lift your head and shoulders off the ground while baby is on your belly.

Exercises to Help Baby Crawl

Once baby's neck is strong enough to self-support, it's time to drop and give mommy or daddy four-all fours, that is. Babies are usually ready to crawl anywhere between 6 and 10 months old. These baby exercises will help get them on the move.

Hand Exercises

Before baby can crawl, they need to get used to having their palm open. Get your little one comfortable with the concept by having them stretch out their hands and fingers while reaching for objects. You can also massage baby's hands with a washcloth in the tub. While you may not think this falls under your typical baby exercises, open hands are essential to crawling. "In order to be successful and increase desire to crawl, babies need to have an open hand," Johnson says. "A fisted hand makes the exploration that is so crucial to early development tough to achieve."

Assisted Crawling

In this exercise, take a towel and fold it over a few times lengthwise. Have baby lay on top it. With both hands, lift either side of the towel so that baby's chest is resting on top of it but is off the ground, lifting baby's chest and belly upward as their arms and legs dangle toward the ground. This should help baby get used to the motions of crawling as you move side by side with them. As baby gets better at it, you can loosen your grip until they're moving on their own!

Once baby is crawling, you know what comes next: walking! Typically babies can start walking anywhere from 9 to 18 months. Don't get discouraged if your child isn't off and running right away. Walking is a major milestone and can take time. It's about developing strength and balance, so once baby has mastered these skills, they'll be on the move. Baby exercises that help with walking skills are a good way to start.

Sitting on a Stool

Since balance is a big part of walking, babies can practice balance by sitting on a stool. Make sure baby's feet can touch the floor and that an adult is nearby for safety. Have baby stand up, pick up a toy off the floor and then sit back down. This exercise forces baby to stand, practice balance and get used to having weight on their feet.

Bounce Baby

While the sitting on a stool exercise works on balance, the bouncing baby exercise will improve strength. Have baby stand up on your lap. Next, have baby start bouncing with their feet on your legs. You'll be holding baby's hands so you can start moving their arms up and down to get baby bouncing if they're not into it right away.

Have baby hold onto furniture and feel their way along as they move their legs. Have your little one hold one of your hands while they keep their hand on the furniture. Eventually, baby will gain the confidence to let go and do it all on their own.

As baby is learning to walk, avoid baby walkers (which have a wheeled base and a seat with leg openings). The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents not to use them because they can lead to serious injuries. Stick to baby exercises to get baby standing on their own two feet.

Baby Hand-Eye Coordination Exercises

When you think about baby exercises, hand-eye coordination may not immediately come to mind. But it's the cornerstone for many baby activities, like crawling and eating. "Babies start exploring their world and learning by use of their hands and their mouths," says Johnson. "By grasping objects and bringing them to their mouth they are developing a sense of self and the building blocks for smooth eye-hand coordination. Activities to promote this can begin as soon as 3 to 4 months of age." You can try the following baby hand-eye coordination exercises to help hone those skills.

Catch the Toy

Tie a small, soft toy to a brightly colored ribbon. Dangle it in front of baby and make it move. Baby will want to reach out and grab it. This will help boost those hand-eye coordination skills while also helping with balance as baby leans in to grab. This is a two-for-one when it comes to baby exercises!

Bubble Gaze

Have you ever seen a baby look at bubbles? Babies are mesmerized by them. Sit your child in a bouncy chair and blow bubbles. Watch baby follow the bubbles with their eyes. They may even raise their hand to try to pop one! This helps tune motor skills and hand-eye coordination making it one of the simplest, yet effective baby exercises.

While baby exercises are not meant to get babies into the tiny Olympics, they're an excellent way for them to get stronger and learn important skills. If you have specific questions about baby exercises, always consult your pediatrician.

Claire Koepke is a registered yoga teacher specializing in prenatal, postnatal and therapeutic yoga, and the director and lead teacher at Happy Baby Yoga in New York.

Sarah Johnson, PT, DPT, a pediatric physical therapist at Riley Children's Health. She earned her degree from Krannert School of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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14 Baby Exercises to Get Your Baby Moving

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When you think about exercise, you wouldn't tell babies to drop and give you 20. But the Society of Health and Physical Educators recommends that all children up to age 5 do some kind of physical activity every day. And yes, that means babies too. Baby exercises are an important part of infant development.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Walking is the major milestone for kids this age, and over the coming year they'll get much better at it.

As kids' mobility improves, so does their ability to explore where they couldn't before. So take a child's-eye look around your home and update childproofing to keep up with your child's growing skills.

How Is My Child Moving?

Though some babies take their first steps around their first birthdays, most learn to walk in the months after they turn 1.

Kids who are learning to walk are called "toddlers" because that's exactly what they do - they toddle, keeping their legs wide apart and seeming to hesitate between each step, jerking from side to side as they move one foot forward, then the next.

About 6 months after taking their first steps, toddlers develop a more mature gait, holding their hands at their sides (rather than out in front for balance) and moving with their feet closer together. They also tend to move their feet in a way that looks more like walking - moving from the heel to the toe.

During these months of practice, most toddlers take a few spills, but this is part of learning to walk. You can't protect your little one from every fall, but you can reduce the risk of injury by only allowing exploration in safe areas (and away from furniture with sharp corners and other hazards).

After walking for a couple of months, your toddler will begin to feel more confident about walking and take on new challenges - such as taking a few steps backward, picking up and carrying objects, and moving while pulling a toy behind.

By the time they turn 2, most toddlers can run, kick a ball, and walk up the stairs.

How Can I Encourage My Toddler?

Give your child lots of things to do and see. Take walks around your yard and the neighborhood or visit a local playground. At home, you can make an obstacle course of pillows or boxes and encourage your child to walk, climb, and crawl through it. Buy a few balls to practice kicking and throwing.

Toddlers are using their hands more. Toys and craft supplies that help develop fine motor skills include:

paper and crayons

sculpting dough

stacking toys that kids can build up and knock down

simple puzzles

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Normal child development tends to follow a certain pattern. The skills that kids develop early serve as building blocks for future skills. Still, the time it takes to develop these skills can vary widely among kids.

Let your doctor know if your toddler doesn't do the following:

By 15 months:

By 18 months:

walk without holding on to anything

climb on and off the couch or a chair

scribble

By 24 months:

walk (not climb) up the stairs with or without help

run

Not reaching individual milestones doesn't always mean there is a problem. But talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's development.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Movement, Coordination, and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Walking is the major milestone for kids this age, and over the coming year they'll get much better at it. As kids' mobility improves, so does their ability to explore where they couldn't before. So take a child's-eye look around your home and update childproofing to keep up with your child's growing skills.

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Puppy Dog Walk: get down on hands & knees
and start to crawl about the room/garden.
We can stretch out one arm at time to practice balancing and also one leg at a time. Have some fun and be silly barking.

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Grab a blanket and lie down on it and roll yourself in the blanket. Bending your knees in order to move across the floor.
Mom or Dad can also push and slide David accross the floor

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Tummy Time Activity - mum and baby lay on the tummy singing '5 little ducks went swimming day' this is good to strengthen the core while doing swimming actions moving arms forward. This is a great movement for core strengthening exercises.

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Mam and Baby lies on their back. Mum moves  her legs  up and down 1 at a time and sings 'This Little Piggy' this will be a fun activity waving the legs and moving the feet while strengthening the core. The child will mirror what mum does and join in on the activity.

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Description of Boat pose.
Mam can support Kates movements throughout the song by following the tips below.

Find a comfortable place to sit on the floor with your toddler. Stretch your legs out in front of you and either gently sit your toddler on your thighs facing you, or invite them to sit in between your legs (see picture above). Remember to keep smiling and talking! Holding their forearms and wrists, gently rock forwards and backwards with your toddler – like a boat on the waves. After two or three rocks, if your toddler is happy, try rocking a little faster and sing the ‘Row, row your boat’ song.

Find a comfortable place to sit on the floor with space in front of you. Stretch your legs out in front and place your toddler on your thighs facing away from you, supporting them with your hands around their hips. Shuffle forwards on your bottom, gently rocking your toddler from side to side as you go. After you have moved forward a little way - shuffle backwards. Once again sing the ‘Row, row, row your boat’ song as you do the movements.
If your toddler is enjoying the game, make the rocking movements bigger so they are challenged to keep their balance on your lap. Your toddler will enjoy the movement of their body against gravity, but do keep checking to make sure that they are not starting to feel anxious.

When doing either of the above poses, with your toddler remember not to do the more vigorous rocking movements for too long as this can overstimulate them and cause them anxiety.

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Find high-quality images, photos, and animated GIFS with Bing Images

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Yoga pose for a child downward dog, Tree Pose (lifting one leg, then the other leg) standing up and reaching to the ceiling.

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Music - row, row, row your boat do the actions on the floor with child. Mum sits on the floor facing the child to her sitting up. She takes the child and rocks back and forth. Baby will mirror the actions mum is doing. This is great for movement and strengthening muscles.

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Row Row Row Your Boat - Baby Song with Lyrics and Actions

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Resources - YouTube videos
Musical instruments, Props - ribbons

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Movement and music helps develop ways to engage in a fun an active way and strengthen the core muscles.

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1. Use a dice - design/draw or download free from twinkl a dice format. Roll and copy the animal pose.
2. Treasure basket - fill a basket with animal toys/bath toys and let David choose the animal that is being used.
3. Fun songs - Old McDonald had a farm singing and movements the different animals
4. Animal Bowling - attach images of animals to empty plastic bottles and act out the animal that were knocked over:

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Animal Walks

Animal Walks allow a child/student to pretend to be an animal. Animal walks can be used as part of an obstacle course, game, warm-up/preparatory activity, etc. Benefits of Animal Walks include:

Improve body and hand strength

Allow for weight bearing

Improve bilateral coordination

Following directions and motor planning

Improve fine and gross motor skills

Improve spatial awareness

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Animal Walks allow a child/student to pretend to be an animal. Animal walks can be used as part of an obstacle course, game, warm-up/preparatory activity, etc.

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Stand up straight and stretch out arms.
Flap arms up and down
Try balancing on one leg.
A blanket can be used as pretend wings

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Animal Moves to Encourage Motor Skills | Activities for Kids

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Use these 13 fun animal moves to encourage kids to strengthen their motor skills, coordination, and core strength. Discover more fun activities for kids.

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Animals in Action | Movement Song for Kids | Jack Hartmann

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Old MacDonald Had A Farm Animal Sounds Song - Kids Songs & Nursery Rhymes For Children

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Mam only needs herself and her body and to know the song to interact with Kate.
Her role is to support Kate's posture and hold her attention.

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10 easy TODDLER + PRESCHOOLER strengthening activities in under 10 minutes

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Mommy and Me Time!  Sing to Babies and Toddlers with These Movement Routines

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Inside: 37 Amazing Zoo Animal Activities for toddlers and preschoolers! From fun sensory activities to adorable crafts to easy boredom busting activities and ideas to get them moving. If you are looking for a way to keep the kids entertained tomorrow these zoo themed activities will fit the bill!

To help you find what you think your toddler or preschooler will love the best, this amazing round of fun and easy zoo activities is broken down into 5 sections.

1. Sensory Zoo Activities

2. Learning Zoo Activities

3. Arts & Craft Zoo Activities

4. Bordem Busting Zoo Activities

5. Gross Motor Zoo Activities

Scroll down to find easy ideas to keep your kids busy and learning today!

Can't visit the zoo at this time? Then check out these amazing virtual zoo trips and zoo animal webcams!

1. San Diego Zoo Tour - California, US

2. Smithsonian National Zoo - Washington, US

3. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Review - Australia

4. Houston Zoo - Texas, US

Sensory Zoo Ideas

Muddy Zoo Sensory Bin a fun sensory activity using mud (Happy Toddler Playtime)

Easy Zebra Slime (Fun-A-Day)

Build a Zoo Sensory Bin (Mrs Plemon's Kindergarten)

Zoo Small World Play (Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds)

Zoo Mini Sensory Bottle (The Chaos and The Clutter)

Animals of Africa Sensory Bin (All For the Boys)

Zoo Sensory Bin Idea: Exploring Animal Textures (The Moments At Home)

Mini Zoo Theme Rice Sensory Bin (3 Dinosaurs)

Feed the Animals Sensory Bin (Little Ones Learn)

Zoo Playdough Search and Find (Little Bins for Little Hands)

Wash the Zoo Animals (Where Imagination Grows)

Learning Zoo Activities

Alphabet Zoo Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)

Letter Z is for Zoo Toddler Learning Activities (School Time Snippets)

Zoo Animal Counting Activity for Preschoolers (The Educators Spin on It)

Back to the Zoo: Counting Activity for Preschoolers (Happy Toddler Playtime)

Who Lives in the Zoo Sorting Activity (A Little Pinch of Perfect)

Zoo Animal Size Sorting. (Little Ones Learn)

Arts & Crafts Zoo Activities

10 Quick Zoo Animals Crafts for Preschoolers (The Keeper of Memories)

Cardboard tube giraffe (The Craft Train)

Letter Z Zebra Craft (School Time Snippets)

Monkey Masks Craft (Messy Little Monsters)

This Jungle Thumbprint Animal Art is So Much Fun for Kids-It's a Whole New Art Form! (Ruffles and Rainbows)

Feed the Lion Number Game (Rainy Day Mum)

Cardboard Tube Hippo Craft - Messy Little Monsters

Lion craft spoon puppet (The Craft Train)

Easy To Make: Paper Plate Lion (3 Dinosaurs)

Handprint Tiger Craft For Kids (Simple Everyday Mom)

Animal Popsicle Puppets: A Fun and Educational Preschool Activity (Lorney and Lennox)

Boredom Busting Zoo Activities

Continents of The World Animal Play (Happy Toddler Playtime)

Rescue the Zoo Animals (Happy Toddler Playtime)

Designing a Zoo with Kids! (Pink Stripey Socks)

Animal Tape Rescue Activity (Busy Toddler)

Build Your Own Zoo (Pretend Play Activity)

Zoo Elephant Clean Up Activity (Mrs Plemon's Kindergarten)

Zoo Animal Laundry Basket Rescue (Simply Learning Kids)

Backyard Safari (No Time For Flashcards)

Animal Parade (Busy Toddler)

Gross Motor Zoo Activities

5 African Safari Animals Yoga Poses for Kids (Kids Yoga Stories)

Zoo Animal Movement Cards (Elemnop Kids)

Elephant Stomp Gross Motor Activity (Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dogs Tails)

Supplies

(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit my disclosure policy for more information.)

Pre-order your copy of my new book of sensory bins: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids: 60 Easy Creative Play Projects that Boost Brain Development, Calm Anxiety and Build Fine Motor Skills coming out October 27, 2020!

WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE ZOO ANIMAL ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER? Pin it for later!

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37 Amazing Zoo Animal Activities - HAPPY TODDLER PLAYTIME

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Inside: 37 Amazing Zoo Animal Activities for toddlers and preschoolers! From fun sensory activities to adorable crafts to easy boredom busting activities and ideas to get them moving. If you are looking for a way to keep the kids entertained tomorrow these zoo themed activities will fit the bill!

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How do I use the Animal Movements Gross Motor Activity Cards?

Our Animal Movements Gross Motor Activity Cards are a great way to get your students moving and thinking creatively. Suitable for kindergarten, right up to second grade, your class will have a blast imitating animals such as elephants, ducks and kangaroos!

Print these cards and use them to guide your students during physical education. These activities will help your kids develop their gross motor skills while having fun learning how animals move!

This resource addresses the following standard: TEKS Physical Education K.2, 1.2, 2.2.

Animal Movements for Kindergarten

For a fun classroom activity or part of your physical education lessons, have your students imitate how animals move. Here are some examples:

Waddle like a duck.

Gallop like a horse.

Wiggle like a worm.

Jump like a frog.

Fly like a bat.

Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills are abilities which include moving the large muscles of the body. For instance, standing, sitting, running and jumping are all gross motor skills. These are typically acquired during early childhood as kids gain more control over their bodies and how they move.

Fine motor skills are small movements requiring more finesse and smaller muscle groups. Abilities requiring dexterity such as grabbing, writing and holding small objects are all examples of fine motor skills.

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Animal Movements Gross Motor Activity Cards

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Our Animal Movements Gross Motor Activity Cards are a great way to get your students moving and thinking creatively. Suitable for kindergarten, right up to second grade, your class will have a blast imitating animals such as elephants, ducks and kangaroos!Print these cards and use them to guide your students during physical education.

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lie down on your back tuck you knees under your chin onto your chest. Legs raised off the floor. Rock back and forth to balance.
This can be practiced in a trampoline where the parents could bounce him gently and he is to try and hold the shape. Strengthen core muscles building up confidence into going down the slide.

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Roly Poly Hedgehog! | Fun Nursery Rhymes and Kids Songs | Toon Bops

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Baby lies on their back and mammy moves her legs around in circular motions.
this develops the core muscles...
for the next verse- the people on the bus go up and down, mam would encourage Kate to jump up and down, or support her on her lap.
The wipers- baby can lie on the ground on their back, whooshing arms and legs in and out like snow angels.

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All Generations Yoga & Pilates - Adult & Kids

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Description

Skills in a Box is a box full of skills designed by a pediatric Occupational Therapist.

Balance is the ability to maintain the body's center of mass over its base so we can see clearly while moving, orient with gravity, stay stable, and more. Our Balance and Motion Skills box is designed to promote your child's balance through sensory input from vision, touch, and the vestibular system.

Your box comes with all the materials you need to complete all activities.

Items may vary slightly from box to box, thus the picture will not exactly represent the 'Skills in a Box' you'll receive.

What's included in the Balance and Motion Box?

Full-color instructions booklet with step by step directions, images, grading suggestions, and illustrations.

All the materials needed for all activities including:

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Skills In A Box - Balance and Motion (Vestibular) - OTPlan

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Our Balance and Motion Skills box is designed to promote your child's balance through sensory input from vision, touch, and the vestibular system. Balance is essential to maintain the body's center of mass over its base so we can see clearly while moving, orient with gravity, stay stable, and more.

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Enable Ireland – Gross Motor Skills, Animal Walks – Video Tutorial 23 April 2020 EC – Unlisted

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How to increase your infants cores strength

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https://youtu.be/aOcl1UWa2-s

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Place the apples (or any other objects) on one end of the room.

Instruct the child to pick up one apple and lay flat on the ground or on a blanket.

Ask the child to roll 5 times, crawl through the tunnel, and jump 10 times on the trampoline, then put the apple in the basket.

Support your child by monitoring his arousal level, as vestibular input can be alerting. Start slow, take breaks as needed, ask the child if he wants to continue or stop and if needed add proprioception input.

Modifications

If you don't have a tunnel, you can have your child crawl under the table or just on the ground.

If you don't have a trampoline, ask the child to jump over a pillow or just jump in place.

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Roll, Crawl, and Jump - OTPlan Activity Idea

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Place the apples (or any other objects) on one end of the room. Instruct the child to pick up one apple and lay flat on the ground or on a blanket. Ask the child to roll 5 times, crawl through the tunnel, and jump 10 times on the trampoline, then put the apple in the basket.

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Both of these songs with all the movements will encourage Kate to develop her core muscles in a fun way. She will engage with mam in a positive manner which will also develop their relationship.
plenty of eye contact, touch, feel, verbal and non-verbal communications will highlight Kates willingness and enjoyment.
Most of these movement can be adapted as Kate grows older and stronger. By going to sitting and lying down, to standing and balance poses
These songs can be done anywhere and at any time as no extra resources are needed.

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9 Month Old Baby Development to 12 Month Old Baby Development - What To Expect

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Wondering what holistic development means and what you as a parent can do to support your child's growth?

What is Holistic Development in Early Childhood?

Holistic development means developing the whole child - socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually.

A child's home and environment also impact their overall development.

Why is Holistic Development Important?

In order for children to succeed and reach their full potential, all aspects of their development must be given attention.

While it may be easy to default to focusing on a child's intellectual abilities during the early years, it is equally important for a child to develop skills such as:

emotional intelligence

confidence

social ability

compassion

fine and gross motor coordination

responsibility

creativity

and many other skills!

Holistic development is important and is the key to learning in the early years of childhood.

As a parent or teacher, you can start your children on an early learning path to success.

Watch the video below for a short summary of holistic development or read on to find out more.

What are the Five Aspects of Holistic Development?

The following are the five key areas of holistic development:

1. Physical development - all about growing and developing motor skills.

2. Social skills - how children interact with others and communicate in their world.

3. Emotional understanding - learning to express emotions in a healthy way.

4. Intellectual development - cognitive, creativity and acquiring skills for learning.

5. Spiritual development - building morals, values and caring for the world.

The early years are a vital time to lay the foundation for a healthy and happy life.

The following tips will help you create a holistic approach to educating your children.

How to Support the Holistic Development of A Child

Encouraging holistic development in the early years is the responsibility of parents and educators. Taking this approach to your children's education is not difficult and just requires a little thought.

Starting in the early years, the holistic approach to education is about a balance between the home, the environment and the developing child.

1. Physical Development

Understand the physical milestones children will experience. Have a thorough knowledge of the importance of motor skills and how they are developed.

Engage in gross motor activities or big movements and explore ways to climb, jump, swing and run.

2. Social Skills

Build social skills by connecting your child with other children and adults.

Practise actions like sharing, taking turns, enjoying a meal together or going on an outing.

3. Emotional Development

Create awareness of others through books and stories.

Learn empathy at home and in the community.

Share experiences and discuss the outcomes of events.

4. Intellectual Development

Active participation is by far the best form of education.

5. Spiritual Development

Talk about family morals and values, beliefs and traditions.

Develop a sense of self and responsibility towards others

Teach children to take care of the environment outside of the home.

Set up your child's bedroom or play area intentionally and encourage your child to respect and enjoy his belongings.

Participate in the community and branch out whenever possible.

An Example of a Holistic Activity

Try to plan activities from a holistic viewpoint. This may seem challenging at first, but in actual fact, many activities are naturally inclusive of these principles.

Look at the family picnic as an example of a holistic activity. This outing is not just about going on a picnic.

Games at the picnic add to intellectual and gross motor development and a day of interacting with family is a great social-emotional activity.

In this way the picnic ticks all the boxes for organizing a holistic educational experience.

Activities That Do Not Foster Holistic Learning

Activities that are restrictive or sedentary are not going to allow for holistic development.

Broadly speaking, children need to have the freedom to be actively involved in their surroundings. They need to develop their fine and gross motor skills.

Activities should help a child to develop cognitively as well as socially and emotionally.

Creating an Environment for Holistic Development

The parts that make up holistic education do not take place individually. It is very important that when creating a realistic holistic environment, as many of the individual aspects are included in activities.

Being aware of the five components of holistic development makes it easier for parents to implement the all-round benefits of this concept.

Play and Learn

The idea of playing and learning may seem contradictory. However, this is the way children learn for several years.

Play is an aspect of learning that children enjoy. It is non-threatening and the environment surrounding play is engaging.

The Safe Play Environment

Knowing you have a safe environment for your child to play in is a very important aspect of holistic education.

Parents need to have peace of mind when it comes to the activities their children are engaged in. Children need a safe area where they can explore freely and actively.

Here are some points to consider when creating that safe area for play activities.

Make sure the flooring is level, with some protective covering. It could be rubber matting or carpeting but something to protect your child for the inevitable hard falls.

Keep outdoor equipment age-appropriate. Remember to check if it is safe to use, free of unwanted nails or splinters and in good order.

Arrange equipment so there is enough run around space between items.

Watch out for sharp edges or pointed dangerous toys. Avoid these kinds of toys particularly with your very young toddler.

If your play area is outside it should be a fenced area for safety and security. In particular, look out for any kind of water hazard.

Keep all dangerous substances away from a free play area. You need to know your child is safe so free exploration can take place.

Buy your toys wisely. Check on the size, not too small with spare parts that can be a choking hazard or too large and unmanageable. It is wise to check what materials they are made with for parts that can fall off or are peeling and breaking.

Organize the toys and have them in a safe, accessible spot. A toy basket is a good idea so the toys can be put away easily at 'tidy-up time.'

Don't have too many toys out at once. Rather choose a few at a time and change the contents of the toy basket every so often.

Show your child how to play with the toys to teach respect for the things they play with. This is especially true for books. Show your child how to turn pages and not to tear the paper of lovely storybooks.

Encouraging Creativity

It is important, in the holistic development of the young child, to find ways to try and experiment with new and different materials. Have interesting 'hands-on' types of materials available.

Put together a creativity box with paper, pencils and crayons, stickers, duct tape, glue and some recycle items like toilet rolls and used cardboard. The creativity box can be on standby for making things when your child is ready for some creativity.

1. Make sure there is time to be free to create.

2. Always add words of encouragement, never criticism.

3. Ask questions about the creation and how it came to be made.

4. Share ideas - 'brainstorm' solutions.

5. Be creative yourself.

Remember creative development is not only a matter of being artistic. Creative ideas are part of mathematical thinking, science, and technology- in fact, anything that has new ideas.

Think out of the box yourself and provide dress-up clothes for drama days, or go on a picnic or treasure hunt, make homemade musical instruments or decorate biscuits in the kitchen.

The area of creativity is limitless and most enjoyable.

The Importance of Developing Language Skills

Developing language skills through holistic play is a vital part of development in the early years of learning. Your child is like a little sponge just waiting to absorb every word you say.

Language skills help children with self-expression, communication and socializing. A child who can communicate is confident and ready to learn new things and explore new areas.

Everything you do with your early learner becomes a language opportunity. Point to objects, repeat words and phrases and allow your little learner to imitate you all the time. Enriching language should come naturally.

Are you stuck for ideas?

Never fear, you may be surprised at how easy it is to find something that ticks the holistic box to do.

Ask yourself if your plan helps with:

Personal development - all about growing and developing motor skills.

Social skills - how children interact with others and communicate in their world.

Emotional understanding - learning to express emotions in a healthy way.

Spiritual development - morals, values and caring for the world.

This may seem a bit daunting, but simply think 'It's all about me!'

Your child learning from within, to deal with the outside world and grow into a sociable, confident, caring human being appreciating the world around them.

In his book, 'Oh the places you'll go.' Dr Seuss wrote:

"Step with great care and great tact,

Remember life's a great balancing act!

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will indeed (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed!)"
Dr Seuss

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The Holistic Development of a Child During the Early Years

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What is holistic development and why is it crucial during the early years? Read about the 5 key elements of holistic development and how you can create an environment at home that fosters your child's development. Parents and teachers check out these tips.

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The Singing Walrus - English Songs For Kids