This sequence of a toddler attempting to crawl, assisted by his mother is an evidence of perseverance on the part of the child and mother!
When the usual child development sequence is impaired, such a perseverant effort alone can make the child move forward developmentally.
It was a moving and awakening experience to watch this joint effort of the child and mother giving a new experience for the child.
This is an act of nurturing the initiative of a child by patient and thoughtful support!
What was central to this effort was the gentle touch the mother offered with words of appreciation and encouragement! The self-giving mother and a responsive child in collaboration!
The only thing we added by a word of support to the mother was to offer him a toy in the front, to have his focus on reaching the toy which becomes a motivation to move. In fact the concentration shifts from movement to playing by reaching out for the toy!
The way the mother responded enthusiastically to that suggestion indicated that the mother and child are soon going to be fulfilled by their joint efforts.
The parenting experience is therefore a joint experience- parents and the child make a partnership for mutual encouragement!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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