As your baby grows, there are many milestones to look forward to.

Their first step, first word and first day of school are all such exciting moments in their lives… but if they haven’t had their first steps yet, there is no need to stress!

Studies show that babies that crawl for longer experience benefits that may be missed out by those that learn to walk early.

So what are the advantages?

Crawling Helps Brain Development

Both the left and right hemispheres of the brain are engaged when your child crawls.

Specifically, this occurs when your little one partakes in criss-cross crawling, using opposite side limbs to move forwards. This ‘cross-lateral’ crawling develops a band of nerves that helps the two sides of the brain to communicate with each other.

Those that skip the crawling phase may experience learning difficulties later on in life, so it’s important not to miss this important milestone.

Crawling Improves Their Physical Capabilities

When your baby crawls, they are engaging their entire body. This help to improve their:

• Gross motor skills (the larger movements they make)
• Fine motor skills
• Coordination
• Balance

Their upper body strength will also be improved, something that is less engaged in walking.

All of these things prepare the body for walking, running, jumping, grabbing, catching and writing… all the things that your child has to look forward to!

Useful For Navigation and Spatial Awareness

When a baby crawls, their spatial awareness and navigation skills are in full use as they try to figure out their environment.

They will be able to grasp how far away things are and where they are placed in the area.

Often, babies that are just starting to crawl will try to go through an obstacle, rather than around it. Figuring out the physical orientation of objects will be their first lesson in navigation, spatial awareness and problem solving!

Crawlers Are Confident

Crawling allows for independent exploration and is one of the first times that your child will have to make decisions on their own.

As they take physical risks and test their limitations and potentials, they will gain more confidence in themselves and begin to solve problems for themselves.

Crawling for longer doesn’t mean that your baby is behind in their development… they’re just going to be even more prepared when they do start walking!

The team at Cubby Care are well experienced with little ones crawling around the classroom, and we aren’t about to stop them! Contact Us for more information on our childcares.