Encourage your budding walker!

Like we said, you can be your child’s best workout trainer… no costly gym membership required. If your child is approaching his first birthday, we have some play exercises that will help make him a good steady walker. Occupational therapists have some simple do-at-home or do-at-the park activities that are good for fun… and baby fitness.

Babies 11 to 15 months

This is the stage where most babies turn from crawlers to certified walkers. You can help your child along this developmental milestone in several ways:

• Hold on to baby on her back and briefly let go while she is standing and see how long she can do it on her own.
• Have baby stand and lean in a corner and hold on to a large toy and while she’s at this give her a ball to throw.
• Push toys can help baby have fun and flex leg muscles. Watch closely though, as push toys and walkers are reason for many emergency falls.

cruising

Once baby is standing and holding on to furniture, encourage them to start cruising – that is, moving from place to place while holding on to furniture. This helps them develop the rhythm of walking and the muscles necessary for good motor coordination.

You can place two chairs next to each other and ask your baby to walk between them. Success at this lets her gain confidence in her abilities. Working on it teaches her how to value making the effort. Soon you can move the chairs further apart and she will let go of one, take a step and grab hold of the next one.

ball throwing

At this age, coax your baby to throw balls overhand, which assists her with developing balance while standing. This could be your first official game of catch!

walk on textures and inclines

As your baby learns to stand on her own and possibly take steps, make her feet walk on different textures. Let her walk barefoot on the wooden floor at home, the stone steps outside, the grass in the park, or sand in the beach.
Your emerging walker can walk between mom and dad while holding on for assistance. Let the strolls get longer and longer.

As she progresses, help her to walk up and down small inclines or hills to vary muscle groups used. This is all a good excuse to go on a trip to the beach or take some time off to hang out in the park. Remember, those little feet were made for walking!

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