CatchaAAA!!!!

This is a fun game for everyone. Usually there are two parties involved: Maria and smb else but most often this is me. It is a great stimulation for movement and action which is crucial in any age. So, we proceed in the following way: Maria is lazily creeping on the floor… I appear behind her and loudly go to the floor with all four telling: I will catch you now! Catchaa! Catcha! Will Catch you in a second!..

I start to approach her loudly continuing to encourage her to run away from me. She somehow understands it (maybe it is an instinct) and moves away as fast as she can. We both laugh crazily and both move – it is enjoyable!

Of course, soon I reach her but I allow some time for her to move forward. When I catch her I hug and kiss her! Then we change our roles and she tries to catch me. I am not creeping very fast to allow her to catch me to, so she can feel proud of herself!

How to Start Creeping?

I was longing for the moment Maria will begin creeping on her all four (before she was pretty fast in crawling) as it trains well the muscles of all body, improves coordination and symmetrically develops the body. This day has finally come and now she can slowly creep, gaining speed with every day!

Definitely Bobath gymnastics helped... Also at home we’ve tried to do some training: e.g. we held Maria’s legs, while she was leaning on her hands, holding the weight of her body. However, I believe the biggest contribution to the ability to creep was provided by the barriers we put on her way when she was trying to reach the desired thing. The barriers were created by the parents, by their bodies and legs =). Also she went over the blankets and pillows. Barriers were everywhere.

Of course, in the beginning it was quite hard, but she improved as days passed. She had a very good motivation in the form of dad’s mobile =). Afterwards, it was easy for her to put straight arms on a shelf (on the surface above the floor). Gradually, she moved to the horizontal surface, to the floor, and could easily stand on all four. Creeping came almost immediately afterwards!