Introduction
A child's first step to walking is one of the most significant developmental milestones in a child's growth. The ability to walk is enormous progress. There are various stages before a child learns, such as crawling, sitting, scooting, and standing. During this period, the child's motor development is progressing; proper nutrition and physical activities are necessary. Exercise ensures good physical growth and muscular coordination for the child. Parents should always consider the intuition of physical activities in the child's growing stage. In addition, parents need to know about the child's gross motor development.
When Do Children Start Walking?
Children start walking around 12 months; however, it may take more or less time with a different child. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, every child walks on their timeline. Parents can help in a child's movement no matter what stage the child is at walking. Parents should understand a child's strengths and abilities and work on their weaknesses.
How Can Parents Help Their Children Learn to Walk?
Meanwhile, the child is learning to walk; parents should help them to face all difficulties.
Following are the few steps parents should follow.
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Safety and the Baby-Proof Environment - Parents should always take care of the space where the baby is learning to walk. The floor should be cleaned properly to prevent tripping hazards. Fragile decorative items should be replaced in the baby's room. The area where babies play or spend time should be free from danger. It prevents the child from injury.
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Strong Core Muscle Support - The child needs a strong muscle core to stand and walk. Parents should support their children while walking. The baby should learn to sit on a stool, bench, or cube chair with feet on the floor. Toys should be used to practice moving up and down and all around.
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Body Movements - The baby can practice transition movements like rising, standing, pulling up, and cruising. Activities such as pulling up and moving help in muscular growth. Sitting helps the child in developing lower body strength.
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Barefoot - When children start walking, parents should always avoid using shoes. Instead, the child should explore their environment barefoot. They can recognize various surfaces such as carpets, ground, and grass. It helps in adjusting the brain and muscles to coordinate. Walking barefoot helps the child to increase stability.
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Support - Parents should support their children in walking. Parents should help their children with trunks and not their hands. Babies tend to develop a more natural gait when a chest keeps them. The babies should not be tilted forward onto their toes. Babies must distribute weight throughout the foot to develop a strong motion pattern. Parents should help the child create a strong movement throughout the lower.
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Set the Stage - Babies always need motivation for body movements. Parents should try to sit with their children on the floor. Parents should place toys in trails throughout the room as the baby's mobility increases.
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Walking Motion - Movements of a child should be focused on forwarding motion. Moving up and down is very beneficial for a child. The leg support is developed when the child takes on balancing and supporting the body.
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Pushing - Pushing helps to support a child in walking. Parents can make toys and baby strollers to provide support. It acts as emotional support giving independence to the child. Children move through various stages of walking. Physical activities such as squatting and jumping can be helpful.
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Grip - Occupying the baby's hand is very important for supported motion. When the baby is holding an object, they tend to work balance in the lower body instead of reaching out for support.
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Climbing - Once the child starts taking baby steps, parents should consider teaching their child to climb stairs. Parents should be under close watch when the child is learning this activity. There is total body and muscle growth when the child learns to climb stairs using hands, knees, and feet. In addition, climbing helps in lower body dissociation, in which the baby starts to separate upper body movement from the lower body.
What Are the Exercises for Babies Walk?
According to the Centers for disease control and prevention, various activities help the child to take their first unsupported step to walk.
Following are multiple exercises that can help the child.
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Single Leg Balance: It helps the child strengthen their hips to walk independently. The child should be positioned on a couch or table and one foot on a low step. The hands should be allowed to take rest on the surface. As the child becomes comfortable, parents can progress more, forming more balance. Always be sure to switch legs to strengthen both sides.
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Rotating: Rotating the shoulder helps the child to develop their upper body strength. For example, the child tries to reach their toys by turning over their shoulder. It also strengthens their ankles and supports them for independent walking.
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Squats: Parents should encourage their child to squat with one hand supported on the couch. Objects such as toys or snacks can be used as motivation. The child tends to keep one hand on the sofa, so parents should hold their hands to maintain that support. Gradually, parents should start doing squats and activities at the wall over time. The floor should be used for standing, and prolonged squatting should be done.Sit stand is a variation of squatting children sit on their parents' thighs, straddling their thighs and legs with a supporting child's hand and encouraging them to stand up.
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Cruising: Cruising can be done on various surfaces, such as around a chair, wall, and ground. Parents can position the two tables to create a gap and encourage the child to transition across the gap.
Conclusion
Every child reaches their development milestone at a particular time. It differs in every child; however, parents should practice physical exercises to help the child get the milestone. Standing on their own feet gives the child a feeling of independence. Parents can help their children by doing various activities at home. Learning to walk takes time; therefore, parents should resist rushing. Parents love affection, care efforts, and participation motivates the child to grow.
