Is Your Child on the Move? What Crawling, Falling, and Movement Patterns Can Reveal About Their Development
As parents, we celebrate every little milestone — that first roll, the wobbly first steps, the excited dash across the living room. But what happens when these movements seem delayed or awkward? Movement is more than just physical activity — it’s a critical piece of your child’s neurological development.
At Clear Connections, we realize the importance of developmental delays and movement — and how to recognize the signs early, so your child gets the support they need to thrive.
Movement Milestones: What to Watch For
Here are a few key movement patterns and behaviors that could indicate your child needs extra support:
🔹Crawling Patterns: Skipping crawling altogether, or using one side of the body more than the other (like an asymmetrical army crawl), may be a red flag. Crawling is essential for developing cross-body coordination and brain integration.
🔹Frequent Falls: While tumbles are part of learning, frequent or unexplained falling might point to poor balance, underdeveloped reflexes, or lack of core stability.
🔹Delayed Walking: If your child isn’t walking by 18 months, or is walking but with a strange gait (tiptoe walking, dragging one foot), it could indicate a developmental issue.
🔹Clumsiness or Awkward Movement: Bumping into things, having trouble with stairs, or avoiding climbing and running might mean their nervous system isn’t fully integrating sensory and motor input.
Why Movement Matters
Healthy, strong, and intentional movement does more than build muscle. It supports:
🔹 Motor Skill Development
Helps refine both big movements (like running and jumping) and small ones (like writing and buttoning), building confidence and coordination.
🔹Brain & Nervous System Integration
Movement activates brain pathways and strengthens the body-brain connection, supporting milestones and overall development.
🔹Focus & Coordination
Boosts attention, balance, and spatial awareness — key for school tasks, sports, and everyday activities.
🔹Faster Learning
An active body supports a ready-to-learn brain, making it easier to pick up new physical and academic skills.
Movement lays the foundation for everything from tying shoes to paying attention in school. That’s why it’s so important to address concerns early.
You’re Not Alone — And We're Here to Help
At Clear Connections, we focus on balancing the nervous system, which controls every movement your child makes. Gentle, neurologically-focused chiropractic adjustments help ensure the brain and body are communicating clearly — creating the foundation for strong motor development.
If you’re feeling frustrated or worried, know this: You are not alone. Many parents have been where you are — and there is help.
Let’s talk about what’s going on and see if chiropractic care could be the missing link in your child’s development.