|
Tummy Time is Terrific Valerie Janz, Implementation Manager, Make Children First My calendar tells me it’s been a good while since my children were infants. My heart tells me it was just yesterday. That’s the funny thing about raising children. It seems like one minute they’re struggling just to hold their heads up. The next minute they’re cramming their heads full of facts for the next big exam. And along the way, parents and caregivers have the responsibility – and the joy -- to support their kids through each developmental stage. The years between birth and age six is one of the most critical times to take a “hands on” approach to supporting your child’s development.
Here’s a simple, but often overlooked, way to help your infant build up the motor skills he’ll need for the next stages of life. It’s called tummy time. And babies need lots of it. In fact, infants who don’t spend enough time on their tummies may be late to reach other milestones. Here’s why. While awake, placing your infant on her tummy, on a clean, safe, floor space will help her learn about her body. It will also help her develop the muscle strength she’ll need for crawling and standing. Tummy time strengthens the anti-gravity muscles needed for good posture and balance. It’s on their tummies that babies get their first experience with weight shifting. That helps create the balance reactions they’ll need for movement. The act of “lifting off” with hands and arms to elevate the chest helps to “set” the shoulders and provide a solid base on which fine motor skills can develop. In the beginning, you may find your baby’s elbows tend to pull behind the shoulders. That makes lifting the head off the floor more difficult – and frustrating. It’s also hard work for infants to move around. They will likely tire quickly. Try several short periods of tummy time until your baby builds up strength and learns to move more efficiently. If you find your baby isn’t enjoying tummy time, try reducing some of his gravity challenge. To do that, slightly elevate the baby’s upper body with your hands, a rolled up receiving blanket or even your legs as you sit on the floor. As your baby learns to enjoy tummy time, and becomes stronger, gradually reduce the amount of support. Putting babies on the floor is one of the best ways to support both physical skills and foster a sense of competence in their first few months. It’s also a great way to spend time together. Sitting or lying on the floor with your baby will help you to see what she does, where she looks and how she moves. Whatever developmental stage your child is at, take the time to enjoy it. It’ll be over in a heartbeat. |
