It’s easy to think of movement as a break from your child’s day or something reserved mainly for a playground. However, movement is best treated as your child’s default because it’s how they play; it’s not a “break” from play.
Why movement matters
Babies are curious explorers; movement helps them refine motor skills, build strength, and enhance cognitive development. It can be tempting to overemphasize “sitting work” as your baby shows greater interest in their toys, but typically, they’ll crave more on-the-go things in these coming months.
Ways to boost movement indoors:
Give them safe spaces. Baby-proof your home for safety, but avoid overly restricting your baby’s need to crawl, climb, stand, and cruise.
Try indoor obstacle courses. It’s not too early to enjoy a good fort with tunnels.
Play catch. Sit facing your baby and gently roll a soft, lightweight ball back and forth.
Find safe climbing opportunities. Did you know babies can climb before they can walk? Set up a soft climbing zone with cushions or supervise them on a section of stairs.
Let them join you in practical errands and chores. Mundane things like laundry and retrieving mail involve tons of movement!
Invest in passive toys as opposed to active toys. Passive toys invite movement because they won’t do anything unless your baby does something with it. They are “child powered,” as opposed to battery-powered.
Try vertical play! For example, stick post-it notes on a wall where they have to stand and peel each one off.
The takeaway
Ensure you’re honoring movement as needed throughout their day, not just as an outdoor activity. As your baby gains more coordination with milestones like walking, their need for movement and “heavy work” will only continue.
What is heavy work
Heavy work is basically your child’s need to move their whole body with maximum effort. It might look like trying to push a box that the mail carrier just delivered, pulling a wagon behind them, or attempting to lift and carry a bag of potatoes from the grocery store.
Engaging in these activities builds fine and gross motor skills while supporting sensory integration, promoting a sense of stability and calmness in young children as they explore and navigate their environment.