Look at me! I’m 7-9 months old!

Supporting and understanding babies creeping and crawling development at 7-9 months of age with Intellidance®.

From 6 to 12 months, a baby’s perception of the world changes dramatically! Babies begin moving about their surroundings on their own, utilizing different locomotor movements instead of relying on their caregivers. The feeling of independence provides them with the opportunity to discover their bodies and the world around them, as well as to learn new things.

Babies typically begin crawling between 6-11 months old, with 50% of babies crawling by 8 months. If you missed our post on 6-month motor development, check it out here. There are tons of great nuggets of information on spinal development, rolling side to side and tummy time.

Creeping, crawling and toddling require babies to use their increasing strength and coordination through body and brain integration. As both sides of the body move in harmony, babies need to integrate their expanding strength and coordination. This cross-lateral body movement also aids brain expansion and growth!

Motor Milestones at 7-9 Months Old

At 7-9 months old, babies can:

• Sit independently
• Crawl on their belly
• Catch themselves when they lose balance while sitting
• Hold their head up in any position
• Belly creep
• Crawl on hands and knees

Please note – Every child develops differently. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your pediatrician.

Intellidance® activities are designed to nurture the physical, emotional and cognitive development of our youngest dancers. Take a look at how our activities directly aid in crawling development for 7-9 month olds.

Belly Creeping

Belly creeping, also called commando crawling, is moving with the belly still on the floor and is an essential precursor to crawling. The increased strength developed from pushing themselves backward on their tummy allows babies to gain the strength needed to rock side to side and alternate moving their legs. Pressing themselves up with their arms has given them the arm strength needed to press up onto all fours.

Babies quickly realize that belly creeping (with bare toes tucked under) will move them forward toward the object or person they want.

Intellidance® Activity: Fuzzy Caterpillar (with crawling)

Fuzzy Caterpillar is a wonderful activity that progresses from the rocking back and forth motion babies begin around 6 months all the way to creeping and crawling.

Cross-Lateral Movements

A new cross-lateral pattern (opposite sides of the body working together) is needed to maintain balance in a crawling movement. This movement pattern will be slow and a bit awkward at first, but over the next few months, babies gain coordination and motor around their surroundings at a surprising speed. This is the time baby-proofing and safety gates become a must in the studio!

Intellidance® Activity: Shoe a Little Horsey

The Shoe a Little Horsey activity reinforces crossing the midline, moving opposite sides of the body at the same time and building the neuro pathways between the left and right sides of the brain.

Eye Tracking

Movement specialists agree crawling is a very important stage of development that is not to be rushed. When babies move in this cross-lateral movement pattern, they’re not only coordinating both sides of their body but also integrating both sides of their brain! Additionally, they’re coordinating their vertical and horizontal eye movements which are the beginning foundations for reading, writing and sensory processing.

Intellidance® Activity: Grand Old Duke of York – Eye Tracking

Using egg shakers, rattles, scarves, or a soft toy work great for this activity! Moving the prop up, down and to the sides assists in developing verticle and horizontal eye tracking.

Learn more about what makes Intellidance® unique

The foundation of the Intellidance® Method is the combination of dance and music concepts, identifying specific vocabulary in dance and music, and developing the understanding of both through the connection between concepts. These connected concepts provide opportunities for children to explore, discover, practice, and create using multiple senses and intelligences. This is what makes the Intellidance® Method so unique!

Interested in learning more? Check out our website to continue reading about Intellidance® Method.

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