Children’s growth

WHEN children are placed in a walking ring or baby walker too early, they skip the developmental steps leading to walking, which can cause unusual movement patterns and delayed muscle control.

Durban occupational therapist Lauren Hepworth said: “Parents put their kids in these walking rings too early. Their muscles aren’t ready, so this forces them to bear more weight on their legs than they should at this stage.

“That affects muscle tones and the body and muscles react to work against gravity. It hinders the child’s ability to explore the environment. They can’t touch or play or feel, which is important for a child’s development,” said Hepworth.

International Occupational Therapy (OT) month, which was marked last month, aims to raise awareness of OT so people of all ages can improve or maintain skills for day-to-day activities and well-being.

Hepworth said age appropriate activities should be used for children.

“I’ve worked with a child who was placed in a walking ring too early, before she was developmentally ready to walk, and so whenever she was put out to crawl, she only bum-shuffled and was late in walking. I practised activities like tummy time, getting on the floor with her to play. I used neuro-developmental therapy techniques to improve muscle tone and strength in her trunk as warm ups and then facilitated crawling and standing while encouraging play.

“Using things like building blocks and boards are also helpful in their development. Of course, in special cases where the child isn’t able to walk, you can use something similar to a walking ring.”

For Hepworth, the ultimate goal with working with kids is to make them functional human beings.