Pulling to Standing IS NOT a Movement Lesson Milestone!

Pulling to Standing IS NOT a Movement Lesson™ Milestone!

• Pelvic Control is Key: Getting up through the pelvis, by rotating and shifting their weight, helps children develop core movements, balance, and coordination. This is essential for all sorts of movements, not just standing.
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• Getting Out of Standing: Pulling up to stand often means a child doesn't know how to get back down again. This can lead to them getting stuck or resorting to falling, which can be scary and potentially cause injuries.

• Playful Exploration: When children can get in and out of standing with ease, they are free to explore their environment more dynamically. They can squat, reach, and move in various ways during play, fostering their creativity and problem-solving skills.
  

• Preventing Future Problems: Strong pelvic movements sets the foundation for good posture, efficient movement, and injury prevention later in life.
   

  Here are three reasons why pulling to stand is not be the most optimal way for a baby to learn to stand:

  1. Pelvic Control:

  • Pelvic Stability: Pulling to stand often relies on upper body strength rather than engaging  core movements and the pelvis, which are crucial for balanced movement.

    

  2. Risk of Falling:

  • Relying on muscles: Babies who pull to stand may not have to rely on muscles (instead of balance) to get back down safely, leading to falls and potential injuries.

  • Confidence: Falling can be scary and may make babies hesitant to try standing again.

    

  3. Limited Exploration:

  • Restricted Movement: Babies who pull to stand might stay in a standing position longer, limiting their exploration of other positions like squatting, crawling, and sitting.

  • Muscle Imbalance: Over-reliance on pulling to stand can lead to muscle imbalances, affecting overall motor development.

    

Here's how it should ideally look:

• The child starts in a low squat or sitting position.

• They use their pelvis to shift weight to allow one leg to bend into position to stand. This naturally brings their pelvis forward and under their body.
  

• To get back down, they reverse the movement, controlling their descent with their legs and pelvis.