Watching your little one learn to crawl and move on their own can be a truly amazing (and sometimes scary) time. Before you know it, your baby will be pulling themselves up, standing and walking.

It is important to remember that not every baby crawls in the traditional way.

Different crawling styles include:

• Classic hands-and-knees or cross crawl. Your baby puts weight on their hands and knees, then moves one arm and the opposite knee forward at the same time.
• Bear crawl. It looks like the classic crawl, but your baby keeps their elbows and knees straight, walking on just their hands and feet like a bear.
• Belly or commando crawl. Your baby moves their body forward while dragging their belly against the floor.
• Bottom scooter/shuffler. Your baby scoots around on their bottom using their arms to move themselves forward.
• Crab crawl. Your baby moves backwards or sideways like a crab, propelling themselves with their hands.
• Rolling crawl. Your baby gets to their destination by simply rolling from one place to the next.

Exploration and experiences affect a child’s earliest learning, which is why it is important for parents to encourage the development of their little one’s motor skills.

Tummy time provides a foundation for the skill of crawling. Floor time and crawling play an important role in your child’s development.

Information from the American Academy of Paediatrics