When a child begins to walk and how to help him

When a child has to go

Some pediatricians agree on anything. The average child doesYour Baby's First Steps the first step in 12 months. The key word here - the average. And your unique is fully entitled (approved by paediatricians and physiologists) go in a different age.

Beyond the norm in this case vary widely - from 8 months to a year and a half.

Many parents are proud that their children begin to walk earlier than most. It seems as if it is speaking about the development of the child. But this is just a contrived excuse to amuse his parental pride.

The period within which the child goes, associated with its development, physical or intellectual abilities exactly the same as the shape of the nose or hair color. Plain text - no way. Someone red, someone gray eyes, and someone walked alone at 8 months.

However, still there are certain situations when the beginning of the walk delay should be alerted.

When should I start worrying

First, a healthy child one way or another must take the first independent step up to 20 months

Child development: Early walker or late walker of little consequence. By this age, children are strong enough that it was given to them without much effort. If the child refuses to go or does so only with support, you should consult your pediatrician. You may need additional tests in other specialized professionals - orthopedist or neurologist.

Second, the overall picture is important14 Month Old Not Walking: Should I Worry. It's one thing if child He does not walk, but his motor functions develop obvious: he confidently turned over, sits down, reaches for toys, crawling, trying to climb the wall to get into the crib or on the couch, bouncing with enthusiasm when you hold it by the hands. It's quite another if it is physical activity you feel inadequate. This is also a serious reason further to consult a doctor.

If neither of these situations applies to you and your children, relax. The child is required to begin walking as soon as ready.

What determines when a child goes

By and large, it's a lottery. None pediatrician not undertake to predict the exact timing, even from birth watching a particular baby, and knowing all about the family history. However, there are some laws that allow to make assumptions.

Here are the main factors that can affect (but not necessarily) on the age at which a child will make his first independent steps.

Genetics

If the father or mother at the time began to walk at an early age, probably children will inherit this feature. The opposite is true. For example, if Dad prefers to move crawling one and a half years old, his son might choose the same tactics.

Weight and physique

More plump and heavy for children to become more difficult in the legs and keep the balance, than their lean and muscular friends.

Some personality traits

To his feet and take the first step without the support of quite a risky event. Some children operate on the principle "in the pool with his head": simply remove your hands from the wall or couch and paced into the unknown. Of course, they fall, sometimes painful, but try again. Perhaps this tendency to risky behavior - a part of their character10 Things to Know About WalkingThat will remain with them forever.

Other babies, on the other hand, are a bit more balanced - paced, just being confident that they can cope with this task. Caution and the ability to calculate their own strength can also be congenital features their personality.

duration of pregnancy

Children who were born prematurely, as a rule, begin to walk later peers.

How to help your child make the first step and start walking confidently

It is impossible to get children to go to a certain date. Walking, for all its apparent simplicity, is very complex and energy-intensive process: which is only to keep a balance on one leg at a time when the other takes a step. The body of the child must mature for this stage. But you can helpWays to Help Baby Learn to Walk. However, the start will have long before the first step.

What to do in 2 months

Around this age, babies are first trying to turn over. Encourage movement. Often lay the baby in a soft safe space filled with bright toys - to want to look at them and possibly get.

Take care to children We spent more time in the stomach. Attempts to lift his head and see the world around us strengthen the muscles of the back and neck, which play an important role in supporting the balance while walking.

What to do in 4-6 months

The period when the child learns to sit and perhaps crawl. Provide a place for the study of the world: let the children spend more time not in the crib or playpen, and on the floor - Spread some blankets and lay out the toys. Trying to get things - excellent training for young muscles.

What to do in 6-8 months

The child is already sitting with confidence, and even creeps. Let him problems on the dynamics, for example, rolling on the floor a bright ball, I wanted to catch him. This hunt for the ball trains the vestibular system and coordination.

Another exercise that has the same objective, as follows: Planted child back to him, and shook her gently.

What to do around the age of 8 months

As soon as children are becoming more and more curious, they want to break away from the usual sex. For example, get a toy, lurking on the couch. Or try to climb on mom (dad), keeping hands on the pants or coat.

Encourage these movements. Especially lay favorite teddy bears in a conspicuous place. Or when the child sits invitingly pull the arms to him from his own height, without bending, to encourage him to reach out to you.

If you see that the child is ready to move up, help him do it. And then show how to bend his knees to get back on safe ground.

During this period, it would be good to buy a stationary play center, which can be played only his feet. This encourages children to spend more time standing.

What to do 9-10 months

Teach your child to stand without support. At least a couple of seconds. To do this, at a time when it is for something to hold, offer to take a favorite or a new toy. This will make him tear his hands from the support.

Several more advanced exercise: Help your child get to his feet, and then give as a plastic rod bearing. Gently move the object - the kid begins to walk behind him. The role of the sticks can perform pram: A walk put side by side, let grasp the frame and slowly move forward.

Also a good simulator will be heavy sustained toy on wheels (toy lawn mowers, trucks) pushing them in front of him, children learn to do step by step.

What to do in 10 months and older

At this age, many children are able to walk. But often it frightens them a large open space around. Make sure that the child has the ability to move "along the wall" - that is, a maximum of two-step to move from one support to another. This will create a sense of security.

To get kids to go to open spaceYou can use a regular gymnastic hoop. Throw it on the child, making it possible to rely on his hands, and lead hoop to the center of the room. The kid will follow the support.

But from the popular walker experts advise to refuse.

Firstly, these items reduce the desire of the child to learn to walk: Well, really, why, because he already knows how to move in space in this handy contraption? Secondly, walkers simply unsafe. Thanks to them, the children in a matter of seconds can be where they should not. For example, before going down the stairs, or at the table, on the edge of which stands a cup of hot coffee. Adults simply do not have time for this to follow.

Realizing that your child is already trying to walk, be sure to get up on all fours and look around from the height of his eyes. Sharp corners, rosettes, tablecloths edge, for which so eager to grab and drag down the iron on the ironing board and the like - all of these danger You must be neutralized.