The Sensory Benefits of Crawling and Four Point Positioning
For some reason our society has decided that if their child walks at 8-9 months then their child is destined to be the next professional athlete and even possibly the next genius on the block. Who came up with this idea anyway?
Crawling and the four point position (as pictured above) are absolutely critical links to brain and body development. It facilitates sensory integration as well as gross motor, fine motor, and visual motor development. And at a much higher skill level, crawling facilitates reading and math skills. There is a reason and developmental purpose for the four point position and crawling. They are both critical components of the developmental sequence. If it were not..then why did we all not come right out of the womb walking and running?
Sensory Components and Benefits of Crawling and/or Four Point Positioning:
Incorporate Crawling and Four Point Positioning at Home and in the Classroom:
If your child did not crawl, do it now! If your child did crawl, super duper...but keep doing it! Crawling can be a great addition to any sensory home program. Crawling races, crawling games and obstacle courses, balloon volleyball in the four point position, crawl from room to room, crawl out in the grass, and make it fun! Working on four point positioning is excellent as well! Try this on a platform swing for an extra challenge!
Crawling in the classroom is an excellent transition tool for the entire class! Crawling races down the hall or crawling relay races out on the school lawn! Balloon volleyball with everyone on all fours in a big circle is even more fun with a group!
Crawling and the four point position (as pictured above) are absolutely critical links to brain and body development. It facilitates sensory integration as well as gross motor, fine motor, and visual motor development. And at a much higher skill level, crawling facilitates reading and math skills. There is a reason and developmental purpose for the four point position and crawling. They are both critical components of the developmental sequence. If it were not..then why did we all not come right out of the womb walking and running?
Sensory Components and Benefits of Crawling and/or Four Point Positioning:
- Works on prone extension which is one of the two most important movement patterns for sensory integration
- Activates the brain stem which promotes self-regulation
- Works on shoulder stability which is critical for fine motor and visual motor skills
- Works on hand separation which is essential for fine motor development
- Works on balance, core strength, and lower body proximal stability
- Facilitates upper and lower body weight shifting
- Promotes bilateral integration
- Facilitates body awareness and motor planning
- Provides proprioception input which is calming and organizing for the brain
- Promotes weight bearing on the joints which facilitates motor development and body awareness, and normalized muscle tone
- It may be calming and regulating for the brain
- It may help prevent sensory overload for the nervous system
- It changes the sensory environment (less visual input, less social interaction, less auditory input)
- It may serve as a sensory anchor...the proprioceptive input to the joints as well as the visual component may be soothing and calming
- It may be easier for the body in regards to balance and lower body weight shifting needed for walking
- It is a much safer and comfortable type of mobility for a child with gravitational insecurity or vestibular defensiveness
- Lack of core strength and/or shoulder stability
- Difficulty with motor planning
- Lack of body awareness and bilateral integration
- Tactile defensiveness and avoidance of textures to hands and legs
- Vestibular defensiveness and poor balance
Incorporate Crawling and Four Point Positioning at Home and in the Classroom:
If your child did not crawl, do it now! If your child did crawl, super duper...but keep doing it! Crawling can be a great addition to any sensory home program. Crawling races, crawling games and obstacle courses, balloon volleyball in the four point position, crawl from room to room, crawl out in the grass, and make it fun! Working on four point positioning is excellent as well! Try this on a platform swing for an extra challenge!
Crawling in the classroom is an excellent transition tool for the entire class! Crawling races down the hall or crawling relay races out on the school lawn! Balloon volleyball with everyone on all fours in a big circle is even more fun with a group!