My daughter did the Army crawl too. She only crawled on her hands and knees for about a month before she started walking. It was so funny to watch her do the army crawl, but she could keep up with the others. She is now going into 3rd grade is an excellent student. She is towards the top of her class in her school work. What we did, was just kept a close eye on her throughout her development and asked for help if we thought it was needed. She was in the SMART reading program at school during kindergarten and we always read to her at home as much as we could.
I think that if you keep a close eye on him and worked with him, that he will be just fine.
My daughter also army crawled for a long time. It wasn't until about 9 months, when I had her around lots of other children her age, that she figured out or decided to crawl in the usual way. I think she switched becasue the army crawl was too slow to keep up with the other infants, and she wanted to try out the other crawl because she saw other kids doing it. Do you have other infants that are crawling "normally" (notice the quotes)? Maybe exposure to other crawlers might help. Good luck.
I wouldn't worry too much about his not crawling. My mom was told that if I didn't crawl I would never read. Well, I NEVER crawled - I scooted on my bottom and pulled myself along with my ankles. However, I was always one of the best readers in my class. There isn't too much that you can do to "make" your child crawl anyway, so I would focus on reading to him on a regular basis to help develop a lifelong love of books.
My now 16 month old did the same thing! She didn't walk until she was 14 months either. She has great hand-eye coordination, can pick up the smallest things. Some kids just don't crawl the typical way. She does now once in a while, & we don' ever see the army crawl she used to do!
I just wanted to add that I read somewhere recently that it really doesn't matter how the child gets around, (whether the child crawls on hands and knees, army crawls, scoots on their bottom, etc) as long as the child is using their arms and legs to move around they are developing their eye hand coordination. This excerpt is from babycenter.com:
Babies develop skills using different methods and different timetables. But if your child hasn't shown an interest in getting mobile by some means (whether it's creeping, crawling, rolling, or scooting), figured out how to move his arms and legs together in a coordinated motion, or learned to use both arms and both legs equally by the time he's a year old, bring it up at his next doctor's appointment. Keep in mind that premature babies may reach this and other milestones several months later than their peers.
Set your mind at ease. I have only had one of my four that actually crawled. My others all did that army crawl thing. My oldest that did the least army crawling even will be in the 3rd grade this fall and is reading at the 5th grade level. Limiting TV time and encouraging lots of book reading is the more important thing to help their reading level. God bless!
My son did pretty much the same thing...he used one arm and one leg. Then one day he just pushed up on all fours and took off. I understand because of your sibling's experience that you are worried, but I think kids crawl in all different sorts of ways. As long as your doctor is not worried about his development in other areas I think I would not worry too much. He is just figuring out his own way of doing things :)
Dear Bonnie Jean...I would like to confirm that your intuition of being concerned is vaid, especially with the family history. I applaude your willingness to be pro active. If you are in the Portland, OR area, I would highly recommend the NW Neurodevelopmental Training Center in Woodburn,Or. [email protected] Phone: 503.981.0635 They do free screenings the 2nd Sat of the month, and are a non-profit with 36 years of experience. They may be able to advise you as to the best course of action.
When my daughter stood up and walked across the room, all on
her own at 10 months old, I intuitivly knew that she needed more crawling. That was 7 years ago and I didn't know how to find someone to validate my concerns about the connection with crawling and brain development.
Last fall, I went to a dyslexia lecture and discovered that she had all of the markers of dyslexia. No wonder she had been struggling with reading, spellling, math facts and writing for the past two years. Which didn't make sense, because she is very bright. I knew something wasn't quite right at the beginning of 1st grade and it was very frustrating to hear let's wait and see. I knew the clock was ticking. Some research shows the best time to make life long changes with the brain is before the age of 9, while there are still so many brain cells. (However, changes can be made all our lives) Did you know that Texas tests students at age 5 for dyslexia? They recognize that 25% of their students may have dyslexia or some form of a learning processing challenge. I didn't realize that dyslexia is more than just transposing letters. The way the brain is wired can impact directions, time, and other processing challenges like auditory and visual. We went to the center and the feedback was that both us of needed to reclaim the crawling that we didn't do as infants. I wish we would have been doing this when she was younger and easier to play crawling games. Little did I know the impact these learning challenges would have on her self esteem. I think better to be pro active than try to play catch up later. So good for you that you want to do something now. You will be glad you did. This is why I strongly suggest you follow your intuition. The biggest surprise was to find out that I also had many of the dyslexic markers and never knew it. I love to read and learned how at an early age. I was at the top of my class all the way through school. Things changed in collage, and it took me 6 years to finish. The dyslexia shows up in many ways and I now realize how much energy it took to get through school and daily life. Now I am recognizing the toll it can take on the quality of one's life. I know that we are all influenced by our own experiences. I have had the gift of being able to look back many years and realize that something I thougt was working ok, really wasn't in the long run. The people in the dyslexia community get this, because they hear stories like mine all the time. I do understand why our schools take this wait and see method. The funding and ability to help the students is few and far between. Some people feel that the educational system is about 30 years behind the medical community in the area of brain research and learning. All the more reason for parents to take a pro active role, especially if there is a family history. I had no idea until last fall, that this was inherited. Keep listening to your intuition and inner wisdom. It will serve you well. Blessings on your journey.
Wow, I've never heard that about reading, but my son also never really crawled well. He started with the "injured soldier" crawl and then ended up kind of scooting across the floor on his bum and one knee. He was more interested in walking and even now at 16 and a half months when he's tried to emulate smaller babies crawling, he can't really do it. He's very proficient in everything else - walking, talking, etc., so I'm not worried at all. He's got no problems with his hand-eye coordination either, as far as I can tell... Hope that helps.
I have heard of plenty of children not crawling or doing army crawls and turning out just fine. Every child developes their own way of getting around. My husband for example never crawled he rolled around to get where he wanted to go and he turned out just fine. And my son does something similar to what you described your son doing. Instead he is on 1 knee and 1 foot and gets around. but i am sure your son will be fine if you have any concerns i would ask your Dr.
NORMAL. My son did the Army Crawl forever then suddenly started crawling and then on to walking. My daughter did the butt-scoot and turn for a while, crawled backwards a couple of times, crawled normally for a few months, then just stood and walked.
If you are truly concerned, model the crawl with him. Show him different ways to crawl and challenge him to do what you are doing. Visit a therapist if you have true concerns (failing to reach many other milestones), otherwise, he'll figure it out. Best of luck!
It might be early days to be concerned, but if you want these are some of the things you can do:
Take him swimming and make sure he uses both legs to kick with. Put him in a bouncing swing or chair, and make sure he uses both legs to bounce with. When he crawls spend five minutes in the morning (when he's happy and rested) making sure he crawls correctly. Later you can make the time longer. Have him stand on your legs or stomach on one leg and then the other.
Don't be too concerned. Babies all crawl differently and at different stages. Both of my kids were pretty "normal" crawlers. But I have neices and nephews who were typical crawlers. One never ever crawled just butt scooted across the floor, another did the army crawl and graduated to normal crawling, another only army crawled and then went straight to walking. One of my nephews only crawled backward never forward. They are bright, smart, fabulous kids ranging in ages from 8 to almost 14.
I agree with getting him checked out by a developmental movement specialist, if you aren't able to help him yourself. You can crawl with him, help show him (by touching him) how to crawl, make it a fun game. You can also do crosscrawling kinds of games on his back, moving his arms and legs.
Yes this can be an indication of a problem latter on. It doesn't have to indicate one, but with a family history this is one of the first signs you see. The neurons in the brain are not processing correctly; this is what causes the problem for crawling, reading and lots of other little things. The earlier you can retrain the brain the better chance you have to avoid other problems latter. Waiting till school age behind the curve reading is far too late. Then you have self esteem issues on top. Keep a close eye on other developments.
I am dyslexic (more auditory processing issue), and have 2 children, one who does have processing problems and one who doesn't; they where different right from birth. Some things I noticed about my son – trouble nursing and taking a bottle (hard for him to suck), colicky infant – wanted to be rocked, swung, bounced, constant motion (this is due to an under active are of the vestibular region in the ear). Had trouble crawling and rolling over, walked at the end of 9 months. Was late and had trouble with the pincher grab- using thumb and pointer finger to pick small things up. Had a difficult time with eating utensils. Did not speak until almost 3, and only now after almost 5 yo and intervention is being understood. Unable to write, hold a pencil, and figure out how much pressure to put down. Extremely gentle, uses very little pressure for most everything. Did not scribble, did not like play doe, or any thing ‘icky'. Loves roller coasters, fast rides, has a photographic memory, extremely imaginative, shape sorters, puzzles, empathy and reading people well beyond his years, clearly a very smart boy. Look for the disparity in skill as he develops.
The crawling therapy did not work well for me as a kid (maybe it was too late), but we are seeing some amazing results with a Berard Auditory Integration Therapy. Use you intuition and insist for early intervention. Look are your family development, I had many of same skill (or lack of) as my son.
Good luck, you are right on track for looking at the issue now.
I think that is cute. Im pretty sure your son is too young to even be tested for gross motor delays....or reading for that matter :-)
I don't mean to minimize however, my son doesn't walk at 18 months. My sister didn't walk until 2 yrs. I walked at 8 months. Really every one is so different. Most dr.s don't get involved for a PT assessment until the child is around 15-18 months. Once they get secure in thier abilities the just take off and learn so fast. you can teach hand eye coordination. I think you have plenty of time to relax and let your baby grow a little. If by 15 months he is still doing the same crawl without trying other methods of getting around (like walking) ask for a gross motor assessment. Every child qualifies for an assessment if referred by a Dr. through the 0-3 No Child Left Behind act. Ask your Dr. for details. If you are in Pierce County, check out the county web site.
LOL. MY now 2 yr old did the "spiderman" crawl. She would go all over the house like that. Hubby had the bright idea of trying it and made it half way down the hall before his muscles protested. It is perfectly normal.
MY son scooted on his butt to get places he never really crawled until he walked. They say if he is using all his motor skills he will be ok . But, if you are really concerned give the doc a call and ask it really cant hurt anything.
I have read through a number of the responses below and it appears that a majority of the responses are not addressing your question. Reading comprehension as it relates to crawling has nothing to do with other neuro/physio milestones. A child that crawls or doesn't crawl will ultimately walk. I don't believe that this is your question. Crawl therapy has to do with crawling in a specific sequence. Other activities that promote or require hand to eye coordination do not replace the neural connections in the brain made by "conventional" crawling. This is why crawl therapy was implemented instead of having adults play video games in order to promote better hand to eye coordination. This is what I would do with a child that only army crawled: If the child goes from army crawling to walking without passing through the "conventional" crawling stage then I would knock my child back to the ground (playing on the ground with the child, if necessary, to show how cool it is to remain on the floor a little longer) and encourage more crawling time before moving to the walking phase of development.
My wife and I are now merging our two families and we have a child that has comprehension issues. She can read the words and excels in other areas but not in comprehension. We are trying to figure out what to do as she now enters 7th grade but is reading at several levels below. Not so coincidentally, she is the one child out of our 6 that didn't crawl as a baby.
Now, with all of that said, there is tremendous individuality with people. If a love of reading is not instilled at a young age, if vocabulary is not developed, and if time is not set aside to read then even a child that crawled may struggle with both reading and comprehension. I would recommend that you periodically assess your child and see how he/she is coming along. Fortunately this is one issue that can be resolved if caught early enough...and by early enough, I mean no earlier than 2nd or 3rd grade on.
Inability to crawl/slide on the tummy in the expected efficient pattern of pushing with the big toe and pulling with the extended forearm on the opposite side in quick alternations indicates that the primitive asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR) has not been inhibited (a maturity milestone). Babies will use whatever coordination pattern they have, including rolling or sitting upright, but the pattern indicates several difficulties in later childhood development (eye teaming, midline crossing, dys-coordination), as well as difficulties in adulthood (basic combat training or firefighter training, fire escape mobility). Youtube has video clips demonstrating ATNR maturation/inhibition. Ten repetitions of slowly alternating the prone pattern of head facing the extended arm and leg several times per day will control this primitive birth reflex over a month or more. Positioning to the right side, pause for up to 15 seconds, move head and limbs to center/sides and pause, then position limbs and head to the left and pause. Reflex overflow will be present following positioning as a twitch, particularly in the neck/head, although the entire body may show a reaction. Lack of inhibition means that the reflex is retained and can interfere with higher levels of coordination (creeping on hands and knees by moving limbs only on one side of the body at a time as a camel stride instead of cross lateral coordination). Another aspect of the tummy crawl/slide is the toe dig and strength to push the body forward. Assistance involves an adult flexing the knee and positioning the toe for pushing. Only a slight push against the resisting hand of the adult builds some muscle strength. For all babies, from the earlier days following birth, adults should build leg strength by slightly resisting the leg thrusts of the infant when holding or carrying. Leg strength makes the tummy crawl/slide easy and automatic when the brain wiring is completed for this essential stage of motor development.
Dr. Fun