Lifting the Legs
Parent gently pulls baby toward a sitting position while lying on their back, observing whether baby spontaneously lifts legs and engages core muscles. The agent coaches the parent to notice attempts at sitting up, leg lifting, and head control — key indicators of developing core strength and the transition to independent sitting.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Baby lying on back on a soft, flat surface. Parent kneeling beside baby. Have a small rolled towel nearby for optional back support.
How it works
- 1~25s
Gently take your child's hands in yours. Now very slowly and carefully, pull them just slightly toward a sitting position — not all the way up, just enough that they feels the pull. Watch what happens. Does your child try to help? You might see them tense the tummy muscles, lift their head, or tuck their chin. The goal isn't to sit them all the way up — just to see if they tries to participate. Tell me what you see.
Watch for: Baby tries to assist when being pulled to a sitting position — engaging core muscles, tucking chin, or flexing arms.
- 2~25s
Let's try that again, but this time I want you to watch your child's head specifically. As you gently pull them up, does their head come along with the body, or does it lag behind and fall back? A baby who's building good neck strength will try to keep the head in line with the body — or even tuck the chin forward. Lower your child back down and try once more slowly.
Watch for: Baby lifts head or keeps it aligned with body when being pulled toward sitting — showing neck muscle strength and control.
- 3~30s
Now lay your child back down flat. This time, just hold their hands lightly — don't pull yet. Instead, encourage your child with your voice: 'Up up up!' and see what happens. Does your child spontaneously lift their legs? Some babies will bring their knees to their chest or kick upward when they feel the excitement of the game. Others might try to pull with their arms. Watch those legs especially!
Watch for: Baby spontaneously lifts legs or brings knees to chest while lying on back — showing developing abdominal strength.