Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

Product Description

Cognitive 4

Skills

• A hinged door that covers a partially hidden picture of a duck reinforces the concept of object permanence. When opened, the child hears “peek-a-boo” and “Let’s play hide and seek.”
• The concept of cause and effect can be practiced over and over as the child pushes a button or spins a roller and experiences immediate feedback.
• The brightly colored keys and shapes encourage color recognition and identification. When the buttons are pushed, the child hears the name of the color.

Play Ideas

• Ask the child, “What’s under the door?” Point out the top of the duck’s head and help him/her to remember that the mother duck and ducklings are hidden there.
• Play “I spy something red” and help the child identify all the red items on the panel. Repeat with other colors.
• When the child is behind the walker, push a button on the activity panel to hear an animal sound and help the child identify which animal makes that sound.

Adaptation Ideas

• Leaving the activity panel attached, push the walker up against a wall or sofa so that it will not roll away. Place the child who can sit independently or propped with supports in front of the panel. This makes it easier for the young child who is able to sit up to play with the activity panel in a vertical position. 

Sensory 3

Skills

• Balance and reciprocal foot movement can be supported using the walker.
• The activity panel enhances visual and auditory processing skills.

Play Ideas

• When the child is behind the walker, push a button on the activity panel to hear an animal sound and help the child identify which animal makes that sound.
• Encourage the child to repeat the words and sentences he/she hears (imitation).
• Have conversations with the animals on the telephone. (“Hi, pig! Do you want to play?”)

Adaptation Ideas

• Use the softer sound mode for a child with auditory hypersensitivity.
• Weight the walker down by removing the front panel and attaching bags of sand or rice to provide “heavy work” for the child who needs proprioceptive input.
• Play with the panel without turning it on for the child who is easily over stimulated by sound and/or flashing lights.

Physical 3

Skills

• Pincer grasp can be practiced while grasping the knob to turn the gears.
• With the walker stabilized against a stationary surface (i.e., wall), the child can practice pulling up and letting go to sit.
• The child who has emerging sitting skills can be motivated to use her hands by being placed in front of the vertical activity panel attached to the walker. (Keep it in place by pushing up against a stationary surface or removing the back wheels.)

Play Ideas

• Play “follow the leader” and have the child follow you with the walker to further encourage them to walk. Be creative when leading; try walking at different speeds or singing as you walk. Give the child a chance to lead.  

Adaptation Ideas

• The emergent walker may benefit from removing the activity panel and attaching soft heavy objects (such as bags filled with sand or rice) to the front of the walker to slow down its forward momentum.
• Removing the elastic bands that connect the shapes to the panel may help the child with fine motor challenges.
• Add some texture such as Velcro to the wheels to slow down the walker.