A child’s first step is a chief landmark in his life. The first step demands the child to synchronize nearly all of his or her main muscle sets simultaneously, from the hands to the spinal cord, as well as the feet and limbs. A great strengthening exercise for the muscles, standing up on the child’s own feet is the primary step that parents should be focusing on. It is also important to know when to expect the baby to stand. Babies usually start dragging themselves up to stand once they are 9 – 12 months old. At this age bracket parents should start encouraging them to stand and walk. Here are some important tips on helping a child walk for the first time.

Starting early
When held on two legs, most children will start backing themselves on their forelegs. This can happen when they are as young as four to five months. Majority of them also start bending their knees and jump up and down for short periods of time. This initial stage standing movement gets the children used to being vertical on their legs. These actions start the crucial muscle building process in the limbs and the hips.

Cruising
Once the child is used to dragging himself to stand up vertically, it is natural for him to start cruising using the support of furniture. Parents must encourage this action by placing objects that they like (perhaps a favorite toy) slightly out of the child’s reach so that he is naturally inclined to moving towards it and grab it. Cruising for a long distance increases a child’s standing resilience and will reinforce their hip and thigh strengths. After some days of cruising the children naturally become steadier with having a balanced weight on one side and become fluent in changing their balancing postures from one side to the other. Websites such as Indreviews offer a great insight into baby walkers, which you can buy for ensuring more synchronized movement.

Keeping them barefoot
Pediatric therapists usually recommend that parents should keep the child barefoot as regularly as possible. Children depend on the feel that they get from underneath their feet to direct them, and by sensing the ground they can regulate their standing equilibrium as required. Different grounds need different usage of joints, muscle and stance. When the child cannot feel from outside their shoes, it delays this educational process.
It is also important to ensure that the child’s feet get the appropriate amount of rest it deserves after a day of walking and cruising. As a parent, it is your responsibility to see that the baby gets the perfect manner of sleep required to rejuvenate him to attempt to walk again the next day.

Encourage them
Encouragement is the greatest cheerleader, whether it is a child or a grownup. Everybody loves to be cheered and commended, so parents must use this technique from an early age to encourage their children to realize what they are achieving.

Children are smart at instinctively realizing what is asked of them. Parents must use these simple tips to encourage their children to realizing the importance of walking.

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