Fun, simple baby workouts for your 7 to 10-month-old.

Babies and young kids in general learn best through play and interaction. By nature, babies like to follow your lead and they like repetition. These little ones are naturally curious and thrive on exploring their world – engaging their sense of sight, touch and sound. They love to move around because that’s what they need to do to explore.

Exploit your child’s natural inclination to move and get into everything. We have some play-at-home ideas from certified occupational therapists that will give your baby a good workout. You’ll definitely qualify as your child’s first trainer. No expensive baby gym membership required!

Occupational therapists from Arizona’s High County Early Intervention work with children ages 0 to 3, who are showing delays in their physical development.  But they also have some simple, effective play exercises that encourage the average child to develop motor skills – on track and as scheduled.

Walking in particular is a gross motor milestone most parents anticipate. Never mind if it means having to run after them more often! Reaching that milestone is one major indicator that baby is growing – and developing – as she is supossed to.

Though it’s not just about reaching the mark. It’s also about encouraging a child’s total development. Educators and child development experts agree on the mind body connection. An active child is a thinking child.

Here are some tips for getting your baby physically fit:

Babies 7-10 Months

floor play

To encourage your baby to move, put them on their tummies on a safe, clean play mat. Place a favorite toy slightly beyond reach so they make an effort to pivot or retrieve it. This will encourage intentional movement. Typically babies will drag themselves across the floor by pushing their bodies using their legs.

Some play mats come with loops that hold up toys with varying colors and textures or make sounds when moved. These are also called baby gyms and are good for entertaining and exercising babies while they’re on their backs.

chair play

Your baby has to use her trunk muscles to sit up, so give her lots of opportunities to practice and develop upper body strength. When my daughter was able to hold her head up past her 2nd month, we got her the Bumbo Baby Seat – which she was able to use until her 11th month. Originally made for cerebral palsy patients, the chair’s unique design supports a child’s trunk and let’s them sit up as early as 2 or 3 months.

In a Bumbo Seat or a high chair, place toys on a tray and let baby reach for her favorites. She will be developing trunk strength while improving hand-eye coordination.

creeping to crawling

As your baby starts to creep, encourage her to assume the hand-knee position by placing a rolled towel below her abdomen while she’s lying on her stomach. When she’s comfortable with this position, encourage her to rock back and forth. This trains her to shift weight from one arm to another. You can also accomplish this by placing a toy in front of her so she picks it up with one hand while using the opposite arm for support.

You should also let your baby crawl up steps on her hands and knees. This one is a great total body workout for your budding walker.

standing

Your baby will eventually use her arms to pull up on furniture so she can stand with support. For her first attempts, make sure you’re within hands reach to help. Check for proper form. Feet should be flat on the floor, knees are apart and bent slightly.

Anther good exercise is to let your child stand on your lap while holding her hands and bouncing her up and down. Babies love this and it’s great for developing leg strength.

Tomorrow, more play and exercise routines as your child approaches walking age.

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