Shift weight by reaching out – an interesting toy can make movement happen

What you need 

• A toy that your baby is interested in. Using a toy that makes noise or anything that stimulates the senses can be a good option. 

What to do 

1. Pop an interesting toy just out of your baby's reach while they are playing on the floor.   
2. Attract your baby’s attention with the toy. 
3. If they seem interested and make physical motions to suggest they are excited by it, move over to your baby and encourage them to move toward the toy.  
4. Spur them on by reaching for the toy yourself and praise any attempts your baby makes to go toward it.  

Good to know 

As your baby attempts to move their body toward the object, you might want to hold them at the hips and gently support their movements.  

Your baby will create a combination of movements, including rotating their hips, moving their arms to adjust body weight, and regulating their balance by rocking. These processes will all take some time to get used to, making this a great activity to repeat several times.