Ideas For A New Walker
By: Hope James, PT, DPT
Your babe is finally walking! But…now what? It’s time to help your little one get steady and safe to explore new spaces. Check out these ideas:
- Dancing songs: Songs with motions are a great way to work on changing directions, briefly standing in one leg, or moving backwards. Have your new walker try to mimic your moves.
- New places: Just exposing your new walker to new surfaces and environments can be a balance challenge. Encourage taking steps while your support sneaks away. Help guide your new walker across mulch, grass, tree roots, or sand.
- Toy clean up: Have your new walker help you clean up toys after play. Try holding the toy bin up to encourage your child to squat to pick up the toy, then reach up to hand the toy to you.