MV T1.04Crawling After a Rolling Toy
The adult rolls a slow-rolling toy with a sealed bell a short distance across the floor, and the infant crawls after it.
Safety
- Bells are sealed inside the toy; check before each use for cracks or loose seams that could release a bell.
- The toy and any part of it must be too large to fit the small parts test cylinder (1.25 in. × 2.25 in.).
- Crawling infants find anything on the floor; check the floor for small objects, and cover outlets and move cords out of reach.
- Any ball is at least 5 cm (2 in.) across; balls under 1.75 in. (4.4 cm) are banned for children under 3 (16 C.F.R. 1500.18(a)(17)).
Presentation
- 1
Clear the floor. Place the infant on their tummy, or let them come to the space themselves.
- 2
Sit facing the infant, about 1 m away. Show the cylinder and roll it once in your hands so it rings.
- 3
Roll the cylinder slowly along the floor 30–50 cm in front of the infant, where they can see it.
- 4
Stay still and let the infant move toward it. The sound and movement of the rolling toy is the point of interest.
- 5
Do not carry the infant to the toy or push it back to them. When they reach it, let them handle it.
- 6
Next time, roll it a little further, or at an angle so the infant has to turn.
- 7
When the infant loses interest, put the toy back in its basket on the low shelf.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Roll the ball, which rolls further and less straight than the cylinder
- Roll the toy gently up a slight slope or over a low cushion
- Leave the toy on the low shelf for the infant to take and push themselves
Control of error
The toy: it keeps rolling away if the infant does not move to it, and rings when they catch and move it.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Crawls 1–2 m toward a rolling toy, on the belly or on hands and knees
- Changes direction to follow the toy
- Gets from crawling to sitting and back without help
- Pushes the toy and crawls after it without the adult
Guide note
Not every infant crawls on hands and knees; some shuffle on their bottom or move straight to pulling up. The 2022 CDC milestone checklists do not list crawling for this reason. Offer the rolling toy either way.