Importance of crawling??

[Caroline5]

dd (2.2) is showing no signs of ever wanting to crawl. She screams blue murder if we try to put her in a crawling position. She will however stand for long periods in her stander and can stand without it for a while at a sofa etc. The physios are really keen for her to learn to crawl, but she is totally resistant to this.

In the absence of any PT over the summer, why are they concentrating so hard on crawling? If she's happier standing, couldn't we work more on this in the hope she will walk? What do wise mumsnetters think?

All I know is that my ds (not special needs as far I as I can tell!) never crawled and like your dd hated being on his tummy or in a crawling position. He'd just collapse sobbing! However, he went straight to walking between 14 and 16 months (from standing holding on and the odd wobbly step to more confident toddling). At nearly two, he's still quite slow and cumbersome in his movements - not an agile little thing whizzing everywhere like some of his peers - but walks perfectly well and can climb onto a sofa or chair if he wants to. Crawling wasn't important to him.

Personally I think it is quite important. It builds up muscle tone in various parts of the body and helps co-ordination. It takes more co-ordination to crawl than to walk. I would encourage it if you can as it will really help with your dd's muscles etc. From what I can understand it really improves the shoulder girdles too. Pt's always say that strength goes from top to bottom so I suppose crawling can be accomplished earlier. This is just my opinion

We had a Minnie mouse that crawled and this really encouraged dd's crawling. Hope you are ok Caroline and your dd's. Feel free to disagree with me if you like

You know I've never actually asked ds's pt why crawling is so important! I think from our point of view it helps strengthen his muscles and improves the control he has. Could you give the pt a call to ask why, or visit the paed to discuss this?

Also can be important for cross patterning- the OT's are into this. DS1 never really rolled, and BIBIC have out rolling into his programme. He rolls like mad now!

my dd never got the hang of rolling all the way over either, she can now however! It was just side to side and I never actually realised they had to do it all the way around (bad mommy)

Ds can roly poly but only by leading with his head instead of his legs. He uses his massive bonce as a weight to swing him over!

Another thing I've remembered.
When we were at BIBIC they explained why they fill in the missing gaps.

As a child develops they lay foundations. It is possible for them to do a later skill before an earlier one (eg walking not crawling). But if they have too many gaps then the foundations are very shaky so the work to fill them. Becuase crawling was established they didn't give us any work on that, but becuase rolling was emergent (ie he could do it but not very well or very easily) they gave us rolling exercises.

Maybe that's why the PT's are so keen?

If I remember correctly crawling also improves pelvic stability

I did the Alexander technique for a bit when my back was particularly dodgy and my teacher used to make me crawl. I used to get confused and do it wrong though!

Thanks everyone - this all seems fairly conclusive! I guess I was just frustrated at lack of progress - maybe hoping she'd move quicker if I encouraged the walking more. Anyway, will persevere with all the crawling exercises (although one involves moving forward with beanbag on head?!? - are they serious?) The main one is trying to get her to move forward while holding her up under her tummy with a towel as a sling - she hates this.

She rarely rolls right over, either, fio - dd1 never did it either! We?re supposed to roll her up in a towel and then ?unravel? her on the bed! Lol lou at your ds using his head to roll over!!

jimjams, now you mention it, I had a crawling type exercise too when having back treatment. It was the one I found most difficult!