Crawling

Crawling is an exciting time! Your child is getting to move on their own for the first time. Crawling is important for coordination, strength, and integrating reflexes. Some children skip crawling if they spend too much time in walkers and bouncers. Crawling is important and should not be skipped if it can be avoided. If your child is already walking, it is still useful to try to help them crawl. Even adults crawl from time to time- it is a skill that everyone should have.

When you're looking for ways to help your child crawl, you may hear or see the term "creeping." This term just helps healthcare workers understand your child better. "Crawling" usually refers to "army crawling" with the belly on the floor. "Creeping" is when your child crawls "on all fours" or on their hands and knees with the belly off of the floor.

Please note: All activities should be done with adult supervision for safety

Crawling Skill Activities

Printable PDF Below

Lifting head while laying on tummy

-Practice for little spurts throughout the day. Lots of little practice is better than one or two really long sessions a day.

-Make sure the child's head rests to the side for breathing when taking a break.

Make it fun!

-Lay your child belly down on your lap or chest for head lifting practice

-Use a tummy time mat or a homemade version

Homemade tummy time mat:

-Paint cardboard with fun designs

-Use a ziplock bag, hair gel, and fun decorations like glitter, sequins, or beads (make sure to duct tape shut)

Rocking to crawl on belly

-Give your child time to practice (try not to interfere).

-Continue to give a lot of opportunities for practice during the day.

-If you can, crawl on your belly to show your child what to do or let them see other children crawl.

Make it fun!

-Place a rolled up towel or yoga mat under your child's belly to make rocking back and forth easier

-Place toys just out of reach so they have a goal

Lifting head while up on elbows

-Continue to practice for little spurts throughout the day.

-Make sure your child's head rests to the side for breathing when taking a break.

-You can help position your child with a rolled up towel under the armpits.

Make it fun!

-Position your child belly down and up on elbows on a large yoga ball (move them side-to-side, front-to-back, and all around slowly and safely)

-Use a mirror or activity mat to keep your child interested

-Use toys and move them around to let your child practice moving their head

Up on hands and knees

-Continue to give a lot of opportunities for practice during the day.

-You may need to support your child's belly as they work to get stronger.

-If your child continues to struggle, see if they need help supporting their shoulders or hips. A therapist can help!

Make it fun!

-Place mirrors, colorful pictures, or toys out in front of your child to keep them entertained

-Get down on your child's level and sing songs, read stories, or make funny faces

Crawling on hands and knees

-Continue to give a lot of opportunities for practice during the day.

-Show your baby what to do or let them watch other kids crawl.

-Make sure your home is child-proofed!

Make it fun!

-Expose your child to different textures (ex. grass, bubble wrap, carpet)

-Put out desk bells, toys, or other fun targets for your child to crawl towards

PDF Printable