Crawling is so much more than a mode of movement for babies before they can walk. It’s a physical milestone, and generally arrives with a panic to baby-proof the house, but it’s also neurological process. Crawling is a key element in building the communication pathways between the brains two halves; that is it strengthens the corpus callosum, which enhances communication, improves cognitive function, and facilitates problem solving skill.
Crawling requires both sides of the brain to coordinate in order to execute because both sides of the body are needed. It also means coordinating the movement of the eyes, arms, legs, and core muscles. Crawling in part of the formation of the hip socket, which is essential for babies to be able to walk. As they get physically stronger through crawling, their condition themselves for the strength to lift and balance their bodies for walking. And crawling requires crossing the midline, which all contribute to capacities for dressing, feeding, toileting, reading, writing, and play; in short, activities for daily living.
You might be reading this and think, that’s nice, I’m an adult and way past that developmental milestone. And yes, obviously, from a developmental perspective, this seems inapplicable to an adult, and yet, this post is to challenge adults to reconsider their views on some of these “childish” activities and consider their benefits for a fully-grown human.
The amounts of coordination and muscle engagement required to crawl is quite astounding. Iin order to crawl, you must engage your abs, glutes, back, pecs, shoulders, arms, obliques, and triceps. When is the last time you tried crawling? It’s a workout! Whenever the children (7-10 year-olds) complain about how hard it is during obstacle courses, they’re not wrong! (They have to do it anyway.) It’s movement that contributes to functional strength and core stability and requires effort.
Additionally!! Crawling contributes to vestibular toning, which is essential for our sense of balance and motion. If you are an adult who is looking at the realities of an aging body, that’s losing some of its agility, crawling can help you. Crawling contributes to “reflexive movement” or “reflexive strength.” Those moments when you trip or slip, and then catch yourself, that’s reflexive movement helping you stay upright.
Lastly, crawling can help to reset the central nervous system. After a stressful day of work or school, crawling can help relieve your body of that stress.
This summer, we’re looking to introduce some play camps based on children’s activities but designed for adults! We’ll be doing obstacles courses and other games, crafts, and dancing. If this sounds like something you’d be keen to try, fill out this expression of interest form [LINK].