A baby's first independent steps are considered one of the best-known milestones in early childhood development. This long-awaited moment when your own child walks through the apartment for the first time with little toddling steps is an incredible event that makes parents, and especially the child, incredibly proud. Self-confidence grows, and parents know they are on the right track. You usually look back briefly on the past months and consider how quickly the last year has flown by. But how do babies learn to walk? And what exactly can parents do to support the process of learning to walk? Eva E. Kaiser from Fellbach near Stuttgart is a pediatric physiotherapist, Bobath and psychomotor therapist, author, mother of two, and our guest today for an expert interview with Paul & Lori. She has even written a great book filled with expert information on movement development during the first 1.5 years of life.
Hello Eva! Paul & Lori are delighted to talk to you today about baby and toddler motor skills, mobility, crawling, and learning to walk. We are also going to debunk a few myths about baby motor skills circulating on the internet, and you have brought along five great tips for parents for the first year of life! But first, we would like to get to know you a little better. How exactly did you get into studying the motor skills of babies and toddlers, and what exactly fascinates you about your work?
Hello Paul & Lori! Even during my training as a physiotherapist, I particularly enjoyed my time in the pediatric clinic. My pediatrics instructor at the time encouraged me to look for a position in a children's hospital after passing my exams. I worked there for a long time, treating the entire spectrum from premature babies to adolescents. Caring for very different, mostly young patients and their parents is still a great joy for me today and is a very versatile and demanding task. Having my own two children gave me a whole new perspective. My therapy has become more practical for everyday life, and it is important to me that it is as easy as possible for parents and the child to implement. In my guidebook “Wie ist das mit dem Krabbeln? - Alles Wichtige zur Bewegungsentwicklung” (“What’s the Deal with Crawling? - Everything You Need to Know About Movement Development”), I provide professional information on movement development in the first 1.5 years of life and how parents can support this development. I want to offer optimal support for movement development, and the consistently positive feedback from many parents, colleagues, and pediatricians makes me very happy!
Let's get started! As soon as babies learn to crawl, they suddenly become much more mobile. They can now move around the apartment independently and with increasing speed. But how exactly does a baby learn to crawl, and what are the precursors to crawling?
The path to crawling is characterized by the development and subsequent disappearance of early childhood “reflexes.” First, the STNR (Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex) must emerge. This brings the child into the quadruped (all-fours) position. Then, the reflex must subside (integrate) so that the child can crawl. This is aided by "rocking," a rhythmic movement back and forth on hands and knees that babies display temporarily, which may be barely visible or very pronounced.
How can parents encourage crawling? Are there special exercises or toys to promote crawling?
Since learning to crawl depends on the interplay of early childhood reflex responses, you cannot simply make a baby crawl with a few tricks. They will learn it all on their own when they are ready. For this, the child must possess a certain level of brain maturity, which automatically triggers the correct reflex activity. In other words, you have to wait patiently until the child starts crawling on their own. You can support this process by giving your baby plenty of time to move on the floor, for example on a play mat, and sometimes it also helps to demonstrate it yourself or have older children do so. Babies learn a great deal through imitation.
Crawling is eventually followed by learning to walk. When do babies learn to walk?
The same applies here: the child will follow this genetically programmed path automatically and all by themselves when they are ready. The child does not need anyone to teach them. Practicing walking by holding their hands is actually counterproductive. It initially delays the child's ability to find their own balance and learn to rely on themselves. The timing of the first independent steps can vary greatly. Whether at around 9 months or not until eighteen months – everything is within the normal range and says nothing about future athletic performance.
From a physiotherapy perspective, is there anything parents should look out for when their baby is learning to walk?
It is good for babies and toddlers to be barefoot as much as possible. The foot muscles, which are only truly needed once they start trying to stand, can develop best this way. Shoes only become necessary once the child can walk longer distances, and even then, only for outdoors. There, they are primarily intended to protect against heat or sharp stones, etc. Children's shoes should be light and flexible, with a very mobile sole, plenty of room for the toes, and completely flat with no heel.
Sometimes parents get insecure because of tips from others or the internet, even if they aren't true at all. So let’s try to categorize some common statements that one hears or reads on the internet regarding crawling and learning to walk. Can you tell us if the following statements are true or just myths?
1. Myth: True or false?
There are no toddlers who do not want to crawl!
That is correct. If a baby didn't crawl before learning to walk, they usually learn to do so afterwards. It is also a common way for toddlers to move around while playing on the floor.
2. Myth: True or false?
Before a baby crawls, they must be able to lift their head!
They definitely have to be able to do that; otherwise, they won't even get into the quadruped position!
3. Myth: True or false?
Babies with a brother or sister generally start walking a bit earlier!
That is not true – here, too, every child is individual. Some learn it a bit earlier, others later. It is best not to compare siblings too much, because every child is unique!
4. Myth: True or false?
Parents must support the baby when learning to walk!
No, it goes fastest when parents do not intervene in the process, but rather let the little one try it out. They learn through trial and error and start to develop self-confidence. When the child can walk all by themselves, they are very proud. This builds self-assurance and self-confidence.
5. Myth: True or false?
Parents can hinder a baby's urge to move if they restrict movement opportunities too much!
Yes, unfortunately that's true! Due to excessive use of baby bouncers, high chair attachments, etc., free movement time on the floor is missing, and motor development is delayed and altered. For example, children then try to sit up via sit-ups instead of over their side or the quadruped position, as they would on a play mat. The WHO recommends active "tummy time" for at least 30 minutes a day and a maximum of one hour in a high chair, bouncer, car seat, stroller, or carrier while the child is awake. Free movement should be restricted as little as possible. Sleeping in a stroller or carrier is no problem.
6. Myth: True or false?
If babies are not walking independently by the 14th month, you should consult a pediatrician!
No, you can wait until about 18 months if development is otherwise normal.
7. Myth: True or false?
Baby shoes help with learning to walk!
That is not true. They interfere with it because they hinder balancing and the development of the foot muscles.
8. Myth: True or false?
Baby walkers help babies learn to walk safely!
That is also not true. When using a baby walker, the body weight is unnaturally shifted forward. This delays the process of finding one's own balance while walking. Due to them rolling away quickly, they are also dangerous. Once the toddler is already walking securely, the walker can be a toy for transporting items and pushing around.
9. Myth: True or false?
It is problematic if children skip crawling!
Not necessarily, if they learn to do it later.
Let's move on to your recommendations for baby's movement development. As a pediatric physiotherapist, what 5 tips can you give parents for the first year of life?
You can find more information about Eva E. Kaiser here:
Website: www.evaekaiser.de
Instagram: @babyoptimal
Book: “Wie ist das mit dem Krabbeln? - Alles Wichtige zur Bewegungsentwicklung” (Publisher: Tredition, Hamburg)
Sources and Literature:
Kaiser, Eva E. (2021): Wie ist das mit dem Krabbeln? - Alles Wichtige zur Bewegungsentwicklung
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