Preparing to Stand Up

What you'll need

Baby lying on back on a soft mat. Parent kneeling or sitting next to baby. No props needed.

How it works

1. 1~30s

   Take your child's hands gently and let them grip your fingers. Very slowly and gently, pull your child's hands toward you — just enough to lift their shoulders a few inches off the mat. Don't pull them all the way up — just a gentle lift. Watch what your child does. Does they try to help? Does they engage their tummy muscles, tuck their chin, or try to curl up toward you? Or does they stay floppy? Tell me what happens.

   Watch for: Baby attempts to assist when pulled to sitting — engaging core muscles, flexing neck, or curling toward parent.

2. 2~30s

   Now let's try a supported standing moment. Hold your child under the arms and lift them to a vertical position. Slowly lower them until just the tips of their toes touch the floor or mat. Watch your child's body — does they have control of their torso and neck? Does they keep their head steady? Do their legs straighten at all, or do they stay curled up? You're just letting the toes touch — not putting full weight down. What do you see?

   Watch for: Baby maintains trunk and neck control when held vertically with feet touching the ground.

3. 3~30s

   While you're still holding your child upright with their toes touching, gently rock them forward and back — just small movements, five quick, gentle tips forward and back. This challenges your child's balance reflexes. Watch if they stretches their legs when tipping forward, or tries to brace against the movement. Does they seem to enjoy the rocking, or does it feel unsettling? What's happening?

   Watch for: Baby extends or braces legs when rocked forward in supported vertical position, showing early weight-bearing response.

What this develops

• ◆Milestone
  Lift Legs to See Feet

  Movementprimary

Visual example