Nerdy gross motor development post ahead! Natural gross motor development has been such a game changer in my parenting that I can just go on and on about how much I enjoy watching babies learn to move. All babies whether you follow natural gross motor development or not are amazing at learning to move and fascinating to watch, but I find it particularly incredible when babies do it on their own.
Penelope has moved through so many incredible stages in the last couple of months in her movement journey. In my last update, she was just starting to propel herself forward by creeping on her belly and climbing over small obstacles. Now, the last month has been an explosion of sitting.
In traditional parenting and gross motor development circles, babies are often propped up to sit and therefore sit before crawling. However, without sitting them up, it's often the opposite - crawling first, then sitting. First they figure out how to get the thing they want - crawl to it - then they figure out how to free their hands for exploration - sitting.
Natural Gross Motor Development - Stages of Sitting
And, the thing is there are so many beautiful transitional positions that happen along the way. Sometimes we can see these positions and feel like we need to rush into help because they look a little awkward. But, every step helps a baby to develop the coordination, vestibular awareness, and control that they need to really have mastery over their body.
Here are some of the sitting phases I noticed in Penelope over the last couple of months:
- Classic Side Laying - on elbow, one hand free
- Half way sit with wide leg base - still supporting on one elbow
- Tripod Sitting with both hands supporting
- Plop to butt, hold on to something - using shelf or wall to hold herself up
- Sitting on knees - usually by pulling up to knees and sitting back, but also pushing off the floor
- Unsupported, holding on to something - sitting doesn't have to be the work anymore, but she can hold onto and play with other things
These are not an exclusive look at every single step that Penelope went to in order to start sitting on her own. But it's just so amazing to me that she has figured out in her own way, in her own time. But also, that it is so similar to many of the other babies that get to follow their own lead in learning to move!
Have you seen any of these stages in your baby? What's your favorite?
This post is week 40 of my Montessori baby series featuring Penelope!
