Roll Toward Invitation

An interesting object is placed just to your baby's side, a little out of reach, to invite them to turn and roll toward it on their own, with no physical prompting from you. A first roll the baby discovers for themselves.

How to do it

1. Lay your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface in a calm, alert moment, with clear space to their sides.
2. Place one interesting object just off to one side, at the edge of their reach, so turning toward it is tempting but takes effort.
3. Sit nearby and encourage with your face and voice. Let them turn their head, reach across, and work toward a roll in their own time.
4. Do not turn them over or push their hip; the value is in them discovering the movement themselves.
5. If they roll or nearly roll, respond warmly and let them keep exploring; if they lose interest, that is fine.
6. Try the other side another time, and always stay with your baby.

What you need

• Object
• Flat surface

Make it yours

Younger (3-4 months): Place the object close so even a head turn and a reach across the body count as progress. Older (once rolling, 6 months and up): Place objects a little farther to invite rolling and pivoting toward them as early travel. No toy: Your own face and voice from one side, or a safe unbreakable mirror, make a great invitation to turn.