17/11/2025
MASTERING MILESTONES
See the comments section below for where this developmental journey started.
WALKING
When baby’s brain sends the “stabilisers on board” command, baby ventures away from solid objects and holds Mom’s, Dad’s, or a caregiver’s hands tightly while taking the first stiff-legged, tentative steps forward.
Baby’s hips tend to be overextended and the legs a bit stiff—just like Granny’s and Grandpa’s when they stand up before getting moving. This stiffness happens because baby’s legs are still learning how to move while carrying the weight of the whole body at the same time. Although the hips and knees had some practice during crawling, the weight was shared between the muscles and joints in both the arms and legs. Now that baby is walking, all the weight rests on the hips, knees, ankles, and toes, and they need a crash course in developing proprioceptive awareness and muscle tone.
While baby’s body and brain are adjusting, nature protects baby by keeping the joints more fixed. Then, after plenty of repetition and heaps of encouragement, baby takes the first unaided step.
BABY GRADUATES FROM BABYHOOD TO TODDLERHOOD!
Walking marks the transition period where a baby moves from discovering himself and his body to discovering the environment, objects, and people. The toddler now reaches out to expand their territory and finds the world a source of constant stimulation and fun. New objects mean new words, and the toddler’s vocabulary expands rapidly.
This is a time of discovery, and nothing is perceived as out of bounds. Ensure that your home is child-safe!
Would you like to support your baby's natural brain and body development?
Follow the link below to find a BabyGym Instructor near you:
https://babygym.co.za/