What Comes After Walking???
So your munchkin is walking? NOW WHAT?!
Walking is a milestone all parents get excited for! But the progression of movement and milestones does not stop there!
Independent Walking
Walking develops anywhere from 10-15 months of age. The next major milestone after walking is running and jumping which develops around 2 years old! This means that toddlers usually get an entire year of walking practice before they are able to run or jump.
So what do we do to help our new toddlers work towards running and jumping?
Getting onto tiptoes
Get your toddler on their tiptoes! The tip toes position helps with:
Strengthening the calf muscles
Helping to further develop balance skills
Imitates a more mature foot positioning in the last part of the walking pattern
All these benefits will help your munchkin progress towards the next milestone of jumping and running.
Toddler Squat
Get your baby squatting! The “toddler squat” position is one of my favorite positions for babies to play in! Getting in and out of this position helps to:
Strengthen the glutes and quad muscles
Helps to maintain flexibility of the hips and ankles
These two benefits are important for future milestones like walking up and down stairs, running and jumping.
One of my favorite games to play to encourage squatting is to go on a scavenger hunt to collect random toys or leaves outside! Munchkins at this age love to collect things in bags and buckets!
Busy Arms
Have you ever watched a gymnast lose her balance while on a balance beam? What do her arms do?
The arms play a big role in upright stability and balance, especially for a new walker!
Challenge your munchkin to work on other balance strategies by taking the arms “away” from helping to balance. Encourage your munchkin to walk around holding large items. It can be anything from pinecones to pillows to stuffed animals! The object should be as big as her forearm so she has to tuck it under her arm to hold it. Therefore, this takes the arms “away” from helping to balance!
Changing the terrain
Changing the terrain that your baby is walking on has so many benefits!
Develops more mature balance reactions of the ankles and hips
Promotes more diverse sensory input to the feet
Promotes more diverse sensory input to the vestibular system
Develops the connection of the visual system with the motor system
The next time you go to the park, take note of the playground and what different terrains are around you. Take your little one on a walk around all the terrains to explore!
Stepping over
Do you ever sit on the floor while your newly walking baby is walking circles around you (literally)? Well if so, you can try this tip without even getting up!
Put your leg out in front of your little walker and help him step over your leg. Once your munchkin masters that, place both legs in front to make a bigger obstacle.
This movement will help develop the skills necessary for things like: going up and down stairs, kicking a ball, and putting on pants and shoes.
As your munchkin grows and masters each of these stages, progress to the next! Soon enough, you’ll be trying to keep up with them!
