The developmental milestone of crawling is important to the development of many essential
skills. It is the first step in a baby’s independent mobility which helps boost their self-esteem
and allows for some independent exploration and problem-solving.
Crawling helps with development in multiple areas including gross and fine motor as well as
speech. It helps to provide strength and stability in the trunk, arms, and legs which helps with
gross motor skills later in development including balance and coordination. It strengthens
shoulder girdle stability and hand development to help with fine motor activities such as
handwriting, self-feeding, and dressing. Also crawling improves the strength of structures
related to breathing and talking.
Crawling allows for midbrain stimulation which creates more neurological connections in the
brain. Hands and knees crawling (opposite arm and leg movement) stimulates bilateral
coordination and the ability to cross midline which helps lay the foundation for higher learning.
Crawling helps develop and enhance the vestibular/balance system and visual perceptual skills.
This also helps to enhance binocular vision, eye/hand coordination and helps with visual
processing and depth perception.
Crawling helps your child establish motor planning and body awareness in space so they
know where they are and how to navigate around their environment.
Crawling provides valuable sensory input. For example, crawling allows infants to move over
and experience different textures independently from carpet to hardwood or grass to dirt.
How to encourage crawling
While crawling is usually an innate developmental skill that does not need to be taught, some
children do not figure out how to coordinate this movement pattern. Here are some ways to
help to encourage that your baby does go through the crawling phase of development.
1. Give your baby adequate tummy time. This helps them to strengthen their neck
while lifting their heads up and also strengthens their backs.
2. Reduce the time that your baby spends in containers including bouncers,
exersaucers, or walkers. They need space to learn to move.
3. When they are in tummy time give your baby extra motivation. Provide a desired toy
just out of reach so they have to move to get it.
4. Provide a safe space on the floor for them to move and explore.
5. Demonstrate the movement of crawling in front of them. Show them how to crawl
to get to a toy that is out of reach or have an older sibling crawl in front of them.
Is it a problem to skip crawling?
Parents frequently ask us if it is problematic that their child skipped the crawling phase. While
you probably know someone who skipped crawling, went straight to walking, and this didn’t
result in any skill deficits, skipping crawling has the potential to negatively impact any of the
aforementioned skills. We are here to make a case for not “skipping” this milestone and circling
back to it if your baby did not, or only briefly crawled on hands and knees before walking. If
your child is at the stage where crawling is the expected developmental milestone and
you/your child’s pediatrician has concerns, consider requesting a physical therapy referral.
What to do if your child skipped crawling?
If your child skipped the crawling phase and is now past the stage where crawling is
developmentally appropriate, it’s never too late to provide them with opportunities to
strengthen their upper body.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Incorporating crawling in a play-based way such as crawling through a tunnel
Scooter boards
On a swing on their tummy, propelling themselves with their arms
Tug of war
Playdough
Bounce passing a large ball back and forth with you
Cutting/ripping paper with 2 hands
Painting on a vertical surface
Coloring or playing with a preferred toy on the floor while laying on their belly, propped
up on their elbows
Laying over your lap, exercise ball, or couch cushion in the wheelbarrow position to do
an activity.
