First steps toys: trolley and walker yes or no?
When the little one starts to cling to any piece of furniture to be able to lift himself and move, parents often immediately run to buy first steps toys thinking they will help him. Unfortunately, these often delay independent walking, instead of encouraging it.
In this article I will explain why you can save from 50 to 150 euros on baby devices and invest them in useful information for you and your child.
1. First steps walker: yes or no?
The walker is one of the first steps toys completely useless and dangerous for a child who is learning to walk.
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has called for its complete ban in America as it is the source of numerous traumas and accidents in children.
Furthermore, the walker does not allow the child to have the correct perception of himself. In fact, by holding it up, the child does not understand the force of gravity, does not seek balance and tends to lean forward.
Indeed, researchers from a study conducted at the Mater Hospital in Dublin , evaluating the motor development of 190 children (of which 102 used a walker and the remaining part did not), deduced that 24 hours of use of a walker corresponded to a delay of 3.3 days in reaching the goal of independent walking and of 3.7 days in the ability to stand alone.
2. Baby stroller: yes or no?
If the baby walker is a first steps toy banned by the scientific community, the baby walking trolley is still a tool for which no univocal position has been taken.
On the one hand, it is true that the trolley helps the child to take his first front steps by finding a support, but on the other hand, the child finds himself chasing it. Therefore, the result is an unconscious, rapid and superficial walk.
To understand why this statement is true, just think about becoming a child and using a shopping cart to walk.
Wouldn't you lean forward without trying to find your balance? Wouldn't you run after the fast-moving cart instead of slowing it down? Wouldn't you fall on your face if it tipped over?
Here's why a baby stroller can be an expense you can avoid.
If it is a game that you are particularly interested in for your child, it will be necessary to evaluate carts that have brakes and that are well balanced to help the little one work on balance and center of gravity.
3. What first steps toys do babies need to walk?
I'll give you the simplest and most direct answer: nobody !
All first steps devices tend to lead the child to an incorrect or absent perception of his balance and his center of gravity.
It will be enough to choose some first steps shoes and I recommend you read my article on the subject to find out how to buy the best ones.
However, make sure you only let him wear shoes when you are out and about; while he is at home, leave him barefoot or with non-slip socks to help him perceive the support of his foot.
4. How to help a child in his first steps without toys?
So, there is nothing I can do to help my child walk?
Sure, but without first steps toys!
In my video course “From Zero to Hero” I explain which activities you can do with your child to help him reach the long-awaited stage of independent walking.
I can tell you in advance that these will be more engaging and more tiring activities than offering the baby the stroller. However, I assure you that they will allow you to witness first-hand this important moment in his motor development and enjoy all the emotions associated with it.
To help its development you can also find
- Cognitive development from 0 to 2 years : Neuropsychologist Sabrina explains activities and games to accompany the child in his growth path;
- Growing with Play : Educator Federica shows more than 100 games and activities to promote the best development of the child from 0 to 12 months of life.