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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

How do you teach a toddler to jump?

46 replies

TheSkiingGardener · 29/08/2011 04:08

DS is 14 months and adores trampolines. But since he can't jump he gets quite frustrated on his own on one, I have to do the jumpy bit for him.

I spent 10 minutes today trying to teach him basic jumping on the ground but this just resulted in lots of giggling and him bending his legs then standing up straight, overbalancing and falling on his bottom. Any tips anyone?

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nailak · 29/08/2011 04:16

they need teaching?
watching older kids might help, since my 1 yr old copies his sisters jumping on the bed, trying to climb up the sofa/cabin bed/using me as climbing frame...

Original poster

TheSkiingGardener · 29/08/2011 04:22

Well apparently he does! He can climb, but will then fall off things into my arms instead of jump. No siblings to copy so he has to work it out I think. One website said they don't learn until 3, but that's balderdash surely.

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Gumps · 29/08/2011 04:29

PE expert here and jumping is quite tricky. It's also very funny when they think they are getting off the ground and they aren't.
Have you tried going over things? Just start with something like book on the floor so that he won't hurt himself.
14 mo is very little so don't worry. I have seen kids in reception struggle with the concept.

Original poster

TheSkiingGardener · 29/08/2011 04:33

Ah, thanks Gumps. Jumping over things is an excellent idea. I also thought maybe jumping for bubbles. Which means I am going to have to jump for bubbles. (I never realised how much fun, childish stuff I would get to do once I had kids).

He loves trampolines so much it seems worth it to keep trying. He'd get so much enjoyment from it. And you are right, watching him try and just not get it was hilarious.

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Gumps · 29/08/2011 04:35

Good to know being awake at this ridiculous hour is being useful!

kickassangel · 29/08/2011 04:44

hold both his hands & get him to jump off the bottom step onto the floor?

Chundle · 29/08/2011 08:00

14 months is way too young to jump most kids learn around 21 months -24 months so you got a while to wait yet

Iggly · 29/08/2011 08:04

He'll do it when he's ready. DS learned a few months ago - he's 22 months without any prompting from us (but he probably saw older kids doing it)

MmeLindor. · 29/08/2011 08:06

Do you have to teach him?

I don't think I taught my DC to do stuff like that, they just learned.

WhiffOfBath · 29/08/2011 08:09

You can't teach jumping. There's some developmental shift that enables them to jump. They're physically incapable of it until then. It happens when they're getting on for two, generally speaking - though, as with everything else, some are much earlier, some much later.

Spagbolagain · 29/08/2011 08:09

My 22 mo old can't jump yet. But he loves it when you bounce him on stuff, the bed, gym ball, trampoline etc. I would've thought it's something they just work out one day? :)

mousymouse · 29/08/2011 08:13

he's too you to jump.
my 20m dd tries (imitating big brother) but doesn't quite get off the ground yet.
don't worry, he will get there and you will wish he was immobile again (at least for a little time each day :o)

bebemoo · 29/08/2011 08:26

With my dd it took her awhile to learn this and she started wanting to jump at abt 12m.
Basically we continued to 'practice' by me bouncing her on the trampoline (at first I held her hands then later I let her stand and bounce by herself while I pushed on the trampoline for her)
We also 'jumped' off of steps or curbs... I would count 1,2,3 then she'd take a step off, but I lifted her ever-so-slightly by her hands when she did it. We graduated to one handed 'jumping' with her bobbing before the step off and then it all came together.
However It was not until abt 24m that she really got both feet off the ground by herself to jump in puddles It does take a lot of muscles and co-ordination to jump so it takes a while to learn. I'd say continue practising and praising and having fun. When your lo gets frustrated distract with some other game or play (I had to do this often with mine -with varying degrees of success)

electra · 29/08/2011 08:30

You can't teach them - they just do it when they're ready.

duchesse · 29/08/2011 08:39

You can't teach them to do something like jumping- they teach themselves eventually. As others have said, they usually do towards the end of the second year.

Robotindisguise · 29/08/2011 08:46

DD is 2 and half of our NCT cohort children can jump on our trampoline, half can't. You have a while to go - he'll get there eventually

Original poster

TheSkiingGardener · 29/08/2011 11:53

Thanks for all the responses. Thinking about it, I think the key thing is he doesn't see anyone else jumping, so has no idea it exists as an option. He can run, climb, and loves being walked on his hands and doing forward rolls so he should physically be there or there abouts.

I'm going to have to do a lot of jumping aren't I! Hopefully he can pick it up from that with a bit of support. He will be as happy as a toddler can be when he can jump on his trampoline.

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WhiffOfBath · 29/08/2011 19:52

I'm afraid enjoying being walked on his hands isn't the same as having the neural connections that will enable him to jump! But it will be fun for both of you to try anyway.

By the time you have had four children, you will be hoping they stay immobile as long as possible.

Original poster

TheSkiingGardener · 29/08/2011 20:00

Trust me, he is far from immobile.

Anyway, I jumped about in front of him today and he is now trying, and giggling and thinking it's fun. I do think this is something he is ready to have a go at. The co-ordination, clambering, climbing and running skills are there. As I have said, he loves the trampoline, I'm just trying to help him make some connections.

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biscuitmad · 29/08/2011 20:33

Go to a soft play area with a bouncy castle. I have a childrens cafe with a bouncy castle in. We went one day and an older boy came up took my boy by the hand and they went on the bouncy castle together. He taught my boy to jump. I could never get him to do it myself, they learn from older ones much faster.

Daisy1986 · 29/08/2011 21:53

How about the little toddler trampolines with handles? I think ELC do one for very little children. MY LO is only just getting both feet off the floor at 23 months most my friends children have learnt at similar age or later.

Original poster

TheSkiingGardener · 29/08/2011 22:36

That's the one he's got Daisy. But he plays on I by sitting on it and getting me to bounce my foot on it so he jiggles up and down! If he stands and holds the handles he just isn't sure what to do.

Tempted to ask DH to spend tomorrow morning before breakfast jumping everywhere.

OP posts:

rubyrubyruby · 29/08/2011 22:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsPlesWearsAFez · 29/08/2011 22:42

ruby

Original poster

TheSkiingGardener · 29/08/2011 22:47

Hmm, while that may work Ruby I am in the unfortunate situation where I like my DS.

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