How to Help Your Child Learn to Fall

In our book, "Your Self-Confident Baby," we talk about not interfering with a baby's physical development. Rather than teaching a baby how to fall, we believe it's better to allow him to develop on his own. Babies are body-wise and if left to their own devices will learn the safest way to move.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Pregnancy Magazine

1. Don't put a baby in a place (chair, bed, slide) that he isn't able to get onto on his own. If a child is placed somewhere, he misses the opportunity to figure out how to climb up, which means that he won't have an inner map of how to get down. This alone can precipitate a fall.
2. Support him. Although we can't teach a child "how" to fall, we can certainly support him when he does. Say, "You fell down. What happened?" React calmly and show him that he can handle it. (If your child is hurt, pick him up and take appropriate measures.)
3. Move near your baby and be available. Let him figure out what to do, or what he needs from you. Often, if a parent doesn't overreact, a child will dust himself off and go about his play. Sometimes children are merely startled after a fall rather than hurt.
4. Offer comfort if he's asking for it. Pick him up or hold him, but let the direction come from him. Don't inflict your anxiety into the situation, as it will only make things worse and may make his reaction more severe.
5. Allow your baby access to low climbing structures or steps for practice. As his proficiency increases, allow him to move on to higher equipment (with your supervision).
6. Even if it's difficult for you, avoid helping your child climb onto something. He'll learn it the best way, his way, if left on his own to figure it out. He'll gain more confidence and will have less chance of falling.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't make your child feel like a victim by making a big fuss if he falls. Remember that he's learning from you and your reactions, and gauging his own by them.
• Avoid telling him "You're OK" if he's hurt and crying. A child who is hurt doesn't feel OK at that moment. Telling him otherwise contradicts his intuition.
• Never leave a child unattended during play where climbing is involved.