A Taste of Success
Some little ones who are experiencing motor delays may have such difficulty moving through positions to reach and get toys that they would rather not go through the motions. Babies are smart, and often their adorable charm becomes a tool to help them get the toy through other means… YOU! I completely get it - how can you resist a cute baby? Often when I bring up strategies to clients on how to encourage their little one to move, it’s as simple as putting the toy just a little out of reach. With the right support and motivation, this can encourage a child to challenge their balance and transition into a different position. However, it is essential to understand how to use this strategy in a way that fosters motivation.
When assessing why a child is having difficulty moving, I often look to flexibility, strength, postural insecurity, and muscle tone as potential factors that may limit their ability to move freely. Once these are addressed as needed, play strategies can be used to work on the new movement patterns required to roll, crawl, or stand independently. These movements may feel unfamiliar to the child and initially result in fear behaviors or resistance to the position. By providing appropriate support and finding meaningful motivators, the child may be better able to participate despite the challenge. Toys and play opportunities are great motivators for little ones. When a child has a preferred toy or target that they are moving towards, often their focus becomes so centered on the goal object that they overcome whatever factor may be limiting them.
I have observed parents who are so excited that their little one is starting to move more that when they see their baby go for a toy, they move it a little bit further… and further… and further until baby has become discouraged and decides they’re not going for it anymore. I will often intervene and highlight some of the cues that show when the child is about to reach their limit. Often, the parents are just so excited they don’t even notice. But as we build that attunement we start to feel more confident knowing just how far we can push our little ones to empower them.
