The Vital Importance of Crawling:
A Key Milestone for Your Child's Success
Rogers Bridge » Occupational Therapy » The Vital Importance of Crawling: A Key Milestone for Your Child's Success
In the ever-evolving world of pediatric milestones, a significant decision by the Academy of Pediatrics in March 2022 left many occupational and physical therapists astonished. Crawling, once considered an essential developmental milestone, was unexpectedly removed from the checklist.
While some milestones can be skipped or achieved out of order without major consequences, experts strongly believe that crawling holds an indispensable role in your child's future success in various aspects of life. Keep reading to understand why crawling remains a crucial milestone and the countless benefits it offers for your child's physical and cognitive development.
In this blog post, we'll cover the following topics:
The Hidden Benefits of Crawling:
Crawling is not just a simple act of moving on all fours; it represents a complex integration of multiple skills that form the foundation for your child's growth. When a child crawls, they engage in a symphony of movements that promote arm strength, core stability, neck control, bilateral coordination, attention, and reflex integration. By supporting their entire body weight and navigating their environment with both their arms and legs, children unknowingly enhance a myriad of motor and cognitive skills.
​
Unveiling the Link to Primitive Reflexes and Integration:
To truly appreciate the significance of crawling, one must understand the crucial interplay between primitive reflexes and reflex integration. Primitive reflexes are innate responses present at birth that assist the child during the early months of life. As children develop and achieve certain milestones, these reflexes naturally fade into the background through the process of reflex integration. Crawling emerges as one of the most effective ways to actively utilize and integrate these primitive reflexes.​
​
Examples of Primitive Reflexes and their Implications:
Three essential primitive reflexes – Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR), and Moro (Startle) Reflex – play significant roles in early development. For instance, ATNR influences eye-hand coordination and symmetrical movements, while STNR impacts arm and hand control in response to head movements. The Moro Reflex aids in the development of protective responses.
​
The Potential Consequences of Skipping Crawling:
While some children may skip crawling entirely and seem to progress well with walking, it's important to recognize the potential long-term effects. Skipping crawling means missing a critical period during which children repeatedly bear weight on their arms, leading to potential weakness in the upper body. This could manifest in difficulties with sports, fine motor skills, and handwriting.
​
Moreover, bypassing crawling might impede the natural integration of primitive reflexes, particularly ATNR, which has been linked to attention delays and hyperactivity when retained into school age. Encouraging walking at the expense of crawling or dismissing crawling altogether may inadvertently hinder your child's future development.
​
Embracing a Holistic Approach:
While each child develops at their own pace, it is essential to foster a balanced approach that values the significance of crawling as a steppingstone toward optimal physical and cognitive growth. By encouraging crawling and providing opportunities for your child to explore and interact with their environment, you pave the way for a strong foundation that sets them up for success.
​
A Key Step:
As advocates for children's development, we understand the vital role that crawling plays in building their strength, coordination, and thinking skills. Crawling is more than just a simple movement; it's a powerful milestone that sets the stage for their future success.
If you ever have any concerns about your child's development, don't hesitate to talk openly with your pediatrician. Additionally, our team is here to provide a comprehensive evaluation and support. Together, we'll ensure your child embarks on a journey filled with growth and achievement, preparing them for a future full of exciting opportunities.
​
Related Resources:
​
"Roger's Bridge is a wonderful practice for your children's needs. They are very responsive and I was really impressed how quick my daughter was able to be assessed as a new client. My 3 year old daughter has shown such growth since she has been work with Ms. Melissa. She has become much more confident because she can articulate needs. Thank you Ms. Melissa!"
– Roberta