Small hands, big discoveries: why crawling is an important step in a child’s development
In the excitement of parents taking their first steps, one important developmental milestone is often overlooked – crawling. When a child shows signs that they will soon be walking, many people think that crawling is a stage they can “skip.” Although it may seem simple, crawling plays a major role in a child’s overall development – from motor skills to thinking.
Crawling is not just a preparation for walking – it is a complex activity that connects the body and brain, builds balance, strengthens muscles, and helps a child better understand the space around them.
What does a child learn through crawling?
1. Develops coordination between the left and right sides of the body When a child crawls, they use their arms and legs alternately – the left arm moves with the right leg and vice versa. This so-called “cross-coordination” is important for later development of balance, writing, reading and concentration. It is the first step in learning that both sides of the body work together.
2. Strengthens the muscles of the whole body Crawling activates the muscles of the shoulders, back, neck, abdomen and hips – all of these muscles are important for proper sitting, standing and later walking. When a child skips crawling, some muscles may remain underdeveloped, which can affect posture and movement in the future.
3. Develops spatial awareness Through crawling, a child discovers how space works – how far they have to stretch to reach a toy, how to crawl under a chair, how to turn around to get back up. These are all important skills that later help with spatial orientation and even learning math and geometry!
4. Encourages visual perception While crawling, a child constantly follows their hands with their eyes, looking ahead, into the distance, and then back up close. This constant change of focus encourages visual development and later facilitates activities like reading and writing – when a child has to follow lines of text or quickly switch their gaze from the blackboard to a notebook.
5. Builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment Crawling allows your baby to move independently and explore the world around them. This encourages curiosity, independence, and a sense of control – all of which contribute to the development of self-confidence and initiative.
What if a child walks quickly and “skips” crawling?
Some children do walk without much crawling. This is not a cause for concern, but it is good to offer them opportunities to play on the floor, move around on all fours, crawl through tunnels, climb soft obstacles, and the like. All of these activities are similar to crawling and help develop the same skills, even if the child is already walking. Such activities can often be found in spaces like Avocado playroom, which are designed so that children develop important motor skills through play — including those that develop during the crawling stage.
How to encourage crawling?
- Create a safe space on the floor A soft carpet, rug, and interesting toys encourage the child to get down and explore.
- Use favorite toys as incentives Place the toy a little further away from your child – this will motivate them to crawl towards it.
- Praise every attempt Encourage your child when he tries to crawl – a smile and a word of encouragement go a long way.
- Be with your child on the floor When you get down next to him, the child feels safe and has additional motivation to move.
Crawling – the foundation for healthy movement and learning
Although often seen as just a stage before walking, crawling is an important developmental step that provides much more than just physical preparation. Through crawling, a child gains control over their body, develops coordination, learns how to explore, and prepares for all the challenges that come later – from walking and running, to learning and playing.
So don’t rush the first steps – let your child enjoy the world of crawling. Because it is there, on the floor, that many important life skills begin.