Tummy time: Why, how, tips and ideas. Free online GymbaROO-KindyROO

Join the thousands of parents already raising smarter, happier babies with our online baby classes: The Active Babies Smart Kids series. Click here.

GymbaROO-KindyROO kids are excelling academically, emotionally, in leadership roles and on the sporting field. Find us at: GymbaROO-KindyROO

Dr Jane Williams and Bindy Cummings

At GymbaROO and KindyROO we can’t emphasise enough just how important tummy time is for your baby’s healthy development. Watch our free video on tummy time here.

Tummy time

Stimulates development of vision – especially when babies ‘find’ their hands and follow them with their eyes.

Stimulates hand and finger development. As babies open and close their hands, rub them on the floor and grab items they are stimulating the touch senses and developing important nerve pathways to and from the brain. Access our video on how and why to help baby’s hand development here.

Strengthens neck, shoulder and arm muscles important for transferring weight from one arm to the other when reaching out, for moving forward on tummies and later for creeping on hands and knees.

Avoids misshapen head development that occurs when babies lie for long periods on their back (commonly referred to as a ‘flat head’ or professionally as plagiocephaly).

Helps form the arch in the foot when the infants push their toes onto the blanket or floor. The plantar reflex that is present in the feet from birth to about 5-6 months of age helps babies to push forward along the floor on their tummies. Access our video on how and why to help baby’s foot development here.

Integrates primitive reflexes, crucial for future learning and smooth coordinated movement.

The development of the strength in the muscles of the shoulder, neck, arms and legs and the primitive reflex responses help babies to start moving. They will often swivel around on their tummies before they begin commando crawling forward.

Why commando crawling is important for development

While ‘commando’ or tummy crawling, infants learn to coordinate their bodies and limbs in preparation for creeping on hands and knees.

The arms, hands, feet and legs are strengthened as they learn to pull and push themselves along.

As babies crawl along the floor, hundreds of touch and motion messages flow to the brain telling them about their bodies and where they are in space.

Commando crawling stimulates babies visual abilities as they change position relative to their world. They are leaning about space and time – how far is that toy and how long will it take me to get there?

How to encourage tummy time

As early as possible, lie your baby on his tummy for short periods of time while awake, to familiarise him with the position.
Lie her on your chest so that she will be encouraged to lift up her head and look at your face.
Lie your baby across your legs and stroke down his back.
Get down on the floor with your little one. Sing songs, talk to her and encourage her to lift her head to look at you.
Have a toy or mirror in front of your baby so that he is encouraged to look up.
Place a small rolled up towel under your baby’s chest and arms. This gives her more support and encouragement to lift her head and push up on her arms.
Several short periods each day will quickly build the strength in your baby’s head, neck, shoulders and arms. As your baby gets stronger, she will be able to lie happily on her tummy for longer periods.

Infants who are given lots of tummy time during the early months of development finds out about themselves and their world much more quickly than those who do not. It is on their tummies that babies will develop neck, back, arm, leg and eye muscles that will enable them to gain control over their body movements and get themselves moving forward along the developmental trajectory of life. Watch Click here to access our online classes with loads of loving tummy time activities.

Preview of GymbaROO-KindyROO’s free tummy time video

I’ve been following “Let’s do BabyROO” on the videos doing one every few days. I’ve just noticed a huge difference in bub’s abilities. Especially tummy time! They are such a great reference tool because not only do you get the activity but the ‘why’ which is so important! It’s not only teaching bub but teaching me to! I feel more confident as a new mum. Thank you for this great resource. Parent

Dr Jane Williams (PhD, BMgt, RN(Paeds)) is the Research and Education General Manager for GymbaROO and KindyROO. Dr Williams is one of Australia’s leading experts on baby and child development. More on Dr Williams here.

Bindy Cummings (B.Ed(Human Movement) Hons) has worked as a teacher, child development consultant, early childhood development lecturer, teacher trainer and INPP & iLS consultant. She is the co-creator of GymbaROO’s Active Babies Smart Kids online series, has authored many published articles on child development. She is working on the content and development GymbaROO’s portal and online training programs, and the creation of new online programs for parents and children. More on Bindy Cummings here.

Active Babies Smart Kids – Online Baby Classes

GymbaROO-KindyROO’s online series of baby classes is taking the parenting world by storm! It is highly recommended by doctors, paediatricians, early childhood experts and the Maternal Child and Family Health Nurses Association. This series is being called: “The essential guide for parents”. Join the thousands of parents already playing with their babies from birth, in the best way for brain and body development and laying crucial foundations for future learning. What happens in the first year, not only matters, it matters a lot!

Active Babies Smart Kids online series – Click here.

Try the first class FREE! Click here to watch our Active Babies Smart Kids Episode 1 – Tummy Time

GymbaROO-KindyROO

Thousands of parents, babies and children are presently involved in our programs and creating rising stars. GymbaROO-KindyROO kids are excelling academically, emotionally, in leadership roles and on the sporting field. Come join all the fun and learning! “GymbaROO – The best decision I ever made for my child.” Classes from 6 weeks old – 7 years GymbaROO KindyROO