Heave-ho! Exploring why toddlers love lifting heavy objects

Have you noticed your toddler trying (and maybe managing) to lift or move items that just seem far too big, or heavy, for them to manage? Never mind superheroes, your toddler is growing and developing so quickly that they are the ones truly embracing super strength as they challenge themselves to lift large or heavy items.  

Lifting is often a skill that can be overlooked when thinking of physical development and gross motor skills. But each time your toddler lifts something big up off the floor, or pushes against a heavy object to get it moving, they’re demonstrating (and developing) their rapidly developing sense of strength and balance.  

Sometimes called heavy work, or ‘maximum effort’ in the Montessori approach to child development, toddlers often seem drawn to tasks which require them to put their whole focus to achieving their goal – seemingly stretching the limits of what they can do.  

Things that are heavy even for adults (such as a full watering can, a shopping bag with some tins in or a laden-down pushchair) often appeal to toddlers who want the opportunity to try, perhaps fail and try again, and often tire themselves out in order to get the job done.  

Not only is this a fantastic opportunity for your toddler to practise resilience, and sometimes learn the limitations of physics if they’re being really ambitious, it also supports their gross motor development. 

Lifting helps build and tone muscles all over the body. When your toddler bends to pick up, or put down an object, the muscles in their hips, knees and ankles work together with the muscles in their legs. The muscles in their neck, back, shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers support your toddler to pick up and keep hold of the object.  

These experiences are crucial for supporting the development of muscles that will be used for future skills, such as large-scale drawing, doing up a zip and dancing.  

When your toddler lifts, they also build their postural control. Postural control is key for many activities that involve keeping the body upright and the back straight, for example, riding a bike and sitting.  

It’s not only their gross motor skills that benefit from this interest in pushing their body to move and lift big items – it supports other skills your toddler is developing too! 

Lifting provides them with opportunities to develop a sense of space, or proprioception. Each time they lift something, move it, and place it back down again, they gain awareness of where their limbs are and how much they need to bend, stretch and step with their body. 

Visual-spatial skills are improved when lifting objects. At times, your toddler may not be able to see what is in front of them as their view will be blocked by the item, so they will have to rely on their visual-spatial skills to work out and follow a path from one place to another.  

They will be developing their bilateral coordination, as both arms will need to work together to pick up an object and hold it in place. Bilateral coordination is an important skill as it can be transferred to many other activities, such as clapping, catching a ball and playing instruments. 

So, next time you notice your toddler trying to lift something heavy try to offer a safe and encouraging way for them to keep trying – and as hard as it can be when you want to help, don’t step in to take it until they ask you to!