Encouraging your baby to stand and progress to walking on their feet is key to moving beyond the knee-walking phase. This is a natural developmental stage, and helping them transition involves providing opportunities and gentle guidance for standing practice.
Encouraging Standing
The primary approach to help a baby move past walking on their knees is to encourage standing. This helps them build the necessary strength and balance for independent walking on their feet.
Here are some ways to encourage your baby to stand, drawing from practical methods:
- Assisted Push-Up: Help your baby from a kneeling position by getting one knee into a bent position and pushing up to standing. You can gently assist them in this motion.
- Foot Tapping: Before attempting to push up, try gently tapping the foot on the floor first to help them understand the action required for standing.
- Playful Standing Practice: Engage in fun activities that involve squatting and standing, such as playing 'Jack in the box' – squat down and then jump up… surprise! (with your help, of course). This turns practice into a game.
- Motivation Through Objects: Place lots of things safely up high, so the child needs to stand to get them! This encourages them to pull themselves up and maintain a standing position to reach desired toys or objects. Ensure the objects are stable and safe, and the environment is childproofed.
By providing these opportunities and making standing a positive experience, you help your baby develop the skills needed to leave the knee-walking stage behind and move towards independent walking on their feet.
