Let's explore the stairs!
I can put my hand on this step...
and I can play with one hand on the step while I shake this toy with the other...
Do you see how much fun this is to play on the stairs?
I feel very stable and balanced with one arm off the stairs.
This is very new....learning to go up to a higher step.
My teacher is showing me how to climb to the top.
I made it to the top!
IMPROVe crawling: HANDS AND KNEES POSITION
This is Madison’s second time to climb the stairs during her Stellar Caterpillar lesson. If you missed it, please read my post about the introduction of the baby stairs to Madison. Each time she climbs, guided by her teacher, she is more balanced and more stable. The teacher uses her hands to support the baby on the stairs, gradually reducing the amount of support as the baby learns to manage them on her own. She feels very proud when she makes it to the top! It is a fun activity for her which improves the motor skill of crawling. She is learning to put weight on her hands to support herself as she does when crawling. With the stairs we have a gradual introduction of the hands to the weight bearing position because the stairs are elevated. The hands bear less weight when elevated on a stair than if they were on the floor in the true crawling position.
Guiding baby up and down the stairs should be tried with an instructor only and not on your own at home for safety concerns.