My First Belly Crawl
Place one toy just within reach, then another a little farther away. Follow your baby’s effort and offer gradual support as they work toward a toy.
- 9 months
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Movement：Supporting with the arms, pushing with the legs, and using the abdomen to move forward gives your baby practice coordinating the large muscles involved in belly crawling.
- Cognitive：Reaching toward a favorite toy gives your baby a clear goal that can hold their interest through repeated attempts to move closer.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
Two toy cars
Step 1
Look for Readiness
Place one toy where your baby can almost reach it during tummy time. If they wave their arms and legs, reach forward, or wriggle closer, they may be ready to practice belly crawling. Follow the effort with warm encouragement.
What to notice
- Reaches an arm toward a toy while lying on their belly
Gross Motor - Reaches toward a favorite toy
Initiative and Curiosity
Tips
- Reaching, pushing, and wriggling toward a toy are useful signs that your baby is ready for the next small movement challenge.
- Choose a toy your baby already likes so the desire to reach it provides a natural reason to move forward.
Step 2
Try a Little Farther
After your baby reaches the first toy, let them enjoy it for a while. Then place the second toy slightly farther away. Wait and watch for stronger leg pushes, small knee movements, or another attempt to move forward on the belly.
What to notice
- Pushes with their legs or arms and moves forward a little Gross Motor
- Looks toward you for help when the toy remains out of reach
Relationships with Adults
Tips
- Distance matters. Place the toy close enough to feel possible but far enough to require a small forward movement.
- Alternating between two toys can renew your baby’s interest and invite another movement attempt.
- If your baby becomes frustrated or no longer wants to crawl, pause and play with the first toy. Begin again only when they are interested.
Step 3
Support the Push
If your baby kicks in the air without moving forward, place your palms against the soles of their feet. Your hands give them a surface to push against while they move their own body toward the toy. Celebrate the effort when they reach it.
What to notice
- Keeps moving forward until they reach the toy
Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning) - Looks toward you and smiles after reaching the toy
Sense of Identity and Belonging
Tips
- Offer a surface for your baby to push against, but do not push their body forward for them.
- Reduce support gradually as your baby gains control. Begin by removing one palm; when they can push forward repeatedly, let them try without your hands.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026