Understanding Your Baby's Rolling Skills: A Parent's Guide Using ROLL

Rolling is an exciting milestone in your baby's motor development, typically occurring between four to six months of age. To help your little one achieve this skill, it’s essential to understand the key components involved in rolling over and the activities you can do at home to encourage their progress. Here’s a breakdown of what your baby needs to achieve rolling, structured around the acronym ROLL.

ROLL: Key Skills for Rolling

R - Reaching

Your baby will need to reach accurately with one hand while weight-shifted to one side (e.g. reaching with left arm while weightbearing through right arm and body). This action helps them develop the coordination and balance necessary for rolling. 

O - Obtaining Toes

Abdominal strength is crucial for pulling the legs toward the chest. Encouraging your baby to grab their toes not only strengthens their core but also prepares them for the movements involved in rolling. 

L - Lifting Head and Rotating

When your baby is rolling from back to belly, they need strong head control and neck extension. As they move into a side-lying position, they must lift and rotate their head to clear it from the floor, completing the roll. Support your baby in developing head control by engaging in activities that encourage tracking toys or faces to facilitate head lifting and rotation in both directions.

L - Leveraging Body

Your baby will need to leverage their body by pushing up on extended arms. This action involves weight-bearing through both arms and, at times, using one arm to free the other for grabbing.

Where to Start: Activities to Encourage Rolling

1. Tummy Time: Begin with tummy time, ensuring that your baby's elbows are tucked under their shoulders. This position improves weight-bearing and head control, crucial for rolling. In my professional opinion, a good rule of thumb is trying to reach around 10 minutes per month's old your baby is of tummy time a day.

2. Sidelying Position: Lay your baby on their side with hips and knees slightly bent. This position promotes midline orientation and helps them learn to bring their hands together. It also encourages weight shifting to one side.

3. Encouraging Weight Shifting: Once your baby is proficient at tummy time, encourage them to push up through extended arms. Use a water playmat, blanket, or pillow to create an uneven surface. This challenge strengthens shoulder muscles and improves balance.

4. Assisted Weight Shifting: Help your baby shift their weight by placing your hand on their bottom and hips while they reach up with the opposite hand. Practice this in both directions to promotes symmetrical movement.

5. Towel Assistance: If your baby struggles with weight shifting, place a small towel under one hip during tummy time to facilitate the movement. Help them place their toes/feet of the side with the towel on the floor to push through. This small adjustment can help them learn to shift their weight more effectively.

6. Core Flexion: While your baby is on their back, place a towel roll under their bottom to encourage core flexion. Gently bring their toes up toward their hands to promote grabbing and movement.

7. Engaging Play: Encourage play on their back and in sidelying by introducing toys that motivate them to reach and bat at them. This helps develop coordination and strength.

8. Tracking Practice: Incorporate tracking exercises while your baby is on their back and stomach. Encourage them to turn their heads and follow toys, which helps improve head control and neck strength.

Conclusion

Rolling is a foundational skill that sets the stage for further motor development. By understanding the components involved and actively engaging in supportive activities, you can help your baby achieve this exciting milestone. Celebrate each small victory along the way, and remember that every child develops at their own pace. Enjoy the journey of exploration and movement with your little one!

Until next time, happy rolling!

Ali