308 chapter 35
Help the child learn to keep her balance while using her hands and twisting her body,
sitting on
the ground,
and sitting on
a log or seat.
When the child can sit by herself, help her learn to sit up,
from lying on her back,
and from lying on her
belly.
Press down and
back on hip.
As the child starts to rise,
push on the higher hip.
First help her lift her
shoulders.
Help her roll to one
side, rise onto one
elbow, and sit.
Help her to sit up herself. Do not pull her up. Praise her each time she does well, or
tries hard. Help her less and less until she can sit up alone.
Some children will need seating aids to sit well.
To help improve balance, the aid should be as low
as possible and still let the child sit straight. Often,
firmly supporting the hips is enough. Here are 2
examples:
For the child who needs higher back
support, simple ‘corner seats’ can be made of
cardboard, wood, or poles in the ground.
For more ideas on special seating and positioning, see Chapters 64 and 65. For sitting
aids, see p. 573.
Disabled village Children