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Crawling Is ESSENTIAL For Infant's Brain Development. Here's Why…

crawling babyEver since crawling has been stated as not a milestone anymore for infant development, it has upset many of us in the pediatric world that work with these amazing little humans.

As a Pediatric Chiropractor, one of the things that I was shocked about when this was announced years ago was, “Do they not know the science nor the various stages of brain development?” It is obvious to me and the professionals who work in this space that it is crucial for kiddos to crawl and so much more.

In this article, I want to share with you 5 main reasons why crawling is so crucial for brain development and what things you, as a parent, should look out for when it comes to your little infant who is starting to crawl or has already passed this point in their neuro-development stages.

Brain Development

Crawling isn’t just a cute milestone—it’s a brain-boosting adventure! As your little one explores the world on all fours, they’re not just moving their body; they’re igniting their mind. By integrating sensory information from every wiggle and wobble, crawling wires their brain for success. It’s like building a superhighway of neural connections, connecting the left and right hemispheres for better coordination and cognitive skills. So, encourage that crawl with excitement! It’s paving the way for a brighter, smarter future.

Visual Development

Crawling isn’t just about movement—it’s a masterclass in visual and motor skills development! As infants embark on their crawling journey, they’re not only exploring the world around them, but also fine-tuning their visual acuity and depth perception. By focusing on objects at different distances, they’re sharpening their eyesight and honing their ability to perceive spatial relationships. And let’s not forget the impressive hand-eye coordination at play as they reach for toys and objects while in motion. Crawling isn’t just a step; it’s a leap towards a future filled with precision and perceptiveness!

Cross-Patterning

Crawling isn’t just about getting from point A to point B; it’s a symphony of movement that lays the groundwork for future skills! When babies crawl, they’re not just moving their arms and legs randomly—they’re engaging in a beautifully orchestrated cross-lateral movement pattern. This means that opposite limbs work together in perfect harmony, promoting the bilateral integration of the brain. Why does this matter? Well, it’s like giving their brain a full-body workout, preparing it for tasks like reading, writing, and sports down the road. So, every crawl is a step towards a future filled with coordination and capability!

Proprioception and Sensory Integration

Crawling is like a sensory adventure for infants, helping them navigate the world around them with confidence! When babies crawl, they’re not just moving—they’re tuning into their own bodies in a profound way. By engaging in this exploratory movement, they stimulate proprioceptive feedback, which is essentially their body’s GPS system. This feedback loop gives them a sense of where they are in space, fostering a deep understanding of their body’s movements and position. And why is this important? Because it sets the stage for impeccable motor planning and coordination down the road. So, every crawl is a step towards mastery of their physical world!

Emotional Development and Stability

Crawling isn’t just a means of movement; it’s a pathway to independence and exploration for infants! As they navigate their environment on all fours, they gain a sense of autonomy and freedom. Moreover, crawling fosters meaningful social interactions and bonding moments with caregivers. Caregivers delight in following their little one’s movements and responding to their cues, strengthening the bond between them. So, every crawl isn’t just a step; it’s a journey towards independence and cherished connections!

Research has also shown that babies that crawl properly, help with cognitive development, learning, behavior, and much more.

What to Look for as a Parent?

Every parent that we work with on their child, especially prior to crawling, all provide us with a video (sometimes multiple videos) to see how their child is crawling and look for any imbalances, or issues, when they are crawling. Some of the types of crawling is scooting, one leg out, getting frustrated, getting stuck, or just getting tired easily. These are signs of imbalances in their nervous system that are not allowing them to crawl in the most optimal position to aid in brain development.

Get Started Today

If your child has experienced any of these things, currently is, or is before the crawling stage, book an appointment with us so we can evaluate, based upon where they are in the brain development stages, to see and help them either improve in their crawling experience, prepare them before they start to crawl, or help improve their brain development after the fact.

Book today and put your mind at ease knowing your child’s crawling experience will be maximized to the fullest so it can experience maximized brain development and much more.
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