Did your child skip crawling and go straight to walking? While many parents think this is a sign of advanced development, it can actually pose problems for your child later on in life. This is because the natural progression of a baby’s movements from crawling to walking help them build key skills they need for more complex skills as they get older.
At No Limits Pediatric Therapies in Bentonville, AR, our mission is to help children reach their fullest potential. Today, I want to share the incredible benefits of crawling and why this seemingly simple activity is so crucial for your child’s development.
Babies Should Be Encouraged to Spend Time Crawling Before They Walk
Crawling is a critical milestone in a child’s developmental journey. Most babies will go through a natural progression from rolling over, sitting on their hands and knees, crawling, standing, and then walking. This progression is the foundational support for the development of many of a child’s motor skills.
Encouraging babies to spend time crawling helps build strength, coordination, and balance. This stage is essential for developing the muscles and motor patterns needed for more complex movements like walking, running, and jumping. When children skip any of these steps, it can prevent them from building the basic skills they need to achieve later developmental milestones.
The Benefits of Crawling Are Far-Reaching
The benefits of crawling are all a result of progressing through developmental movements in the proper sequence. This is because crawling helps integrate your child’s primitive reflexes, which are automatic movements that are crucial for development.
When reflexes are integrated, it means that they stop being involuntary actions and come under your child’s own control. One of the most common reflexes is when you put your finger in a baby’s hand, and they grab it. This is automatic; but as they get older, it becomes an action they can choose to do or not do.
Properly integrated reflexes, which happen in part thanks to crawling, lead to:
- Better attention and focus
- Improved learning skills
- Better handwriting
- Stronger core and shoulder muscles
- Enhanced coordination
Children Who Miss Crawling May Need Physical Therapy Later on in Life
Some children skip crawling altogether. They move straight from sitting to walking and excitedly run around to explore and play. While this might seem like a sign of advanced development, it can lead to physical challenges later on.
Skipping crawling can result in weaker core muscles, poor coordination, and difficulty with fine motor skills. Many children who miss the crawling stage eventually need physical therapy to address these issues and to develop the strength and coordination they missed by not crawling. Thankfully, with expert support from pediatric therapists, these challenges can be overcome.
Reach Out to No Limits for an Evaluation
If you have concerns about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. At No Limits Pediatric Therapies, our skilled therapists are here to help your child grow beyond their limitations.
Call us at (479) 250-9838 for a free 15-minute developmental consultation to see if your child can benefit from pediatric therapy.
About Terrica
Terrica Weatherford, MSOT, founded No Limits Pediatric Therapies in 2016. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2012. For over 13 years, Terrica has been committed to helping neurodiverse children (and those who need extra support) reach their full potential. She founded her practice to ensure she could provide exceptional care for children and their families.
