This informal CPD article, ‘The Problem with Pikler: Balancing Old and New Perspectives on Infant Movement’, was provided by Little Cub Nurture Hub, who offer Baby Room education and training for practitioners which focus on infancy and are in-line with the Early Year’s Framework.
Dr. Emmi Pikler’s approach to infant development, known as the Pikler method (1), emphasises free movement and minimal adult intervention, encouraging babies to reach motor milestones independently. Developed in the mid-20th century, Pikler’s philosophy suggests that infants benefit most when given freedom to explore movement on their own, fostering physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Although Pikler’s approach has influenced early childhood education globally, evolving insights highlight the need to adapt these principles to today’s childcare landscape.
For Early Year’s Professionals, adaptations are especially important as babies are spending more time in childcare settings with the new 9-month childcare entitlement. Practitioners play a critical role in creating enriched developmental experiences that consider both Pikler’s foundational ideas and contemporary recommendations for infant movement.
Core Principles of the Pikler Approach
Pikler’s philosophy focusses on giving infants the autonomy to explore their surroundings without adult interference. She believed that, when placed in a safe environment, infants would naturally progress through movement stages—rolling, crawling, sitting, standing—without the need for adults to position or guide them. Pikler saw this approach as essential for building physical strength, confidence, and self-awareness.
The main aspects of the Pikler approach include:
Respect for Autonomy: Encouraging infants to move and develop at their own pace to promote independence.
Minimal Intervention: Advising against propping, positioning, or guiding infants to sit, stand, or walk prematurely.
Observational Engagement: Caregivers focus on observing infants, responding only when necessary to foster a calm, secure environment.
Advocates of the Pikler method believe it nurtures physical and emotional development by enabling infants to trust their own capabilities and experience mastery over their bodies. However, these principles are increasingly challenged by updated research on motor development and modern childcare practices.
Modern Shifts in Infant Developmental Contexts
Over recent decades, the environment for infant care has evolved with updated guidance on caring for babies in the first year.
Recent changes include: The “Back to Sleep” Campaign and Tummy Time Emphasis (2). The “Back to Sleep” campaign of the 1990s significantly reduced the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by encouraging parents to place infants on their backs to sleep. While effective for SIDS prevention, this sleeping position also limited infants’ time on their tummies, leading to possible delays in neck, shoulder, and core muscle development.
The modern NHS recommends 30 minutes of tummy time daily during awake hours to build essential motor skills. The EYFS framework (3) also includes tummy time as standard practice, underscoring its importance in fostering physical development in nursery and childminding settings.
Impact of Insufficient Tummy Time on Development
Without sufficient time spent in a prone position, infants may struggle with neck and shoulder strength, making it harder for them to reach motor milestones such as rolling, crawling and sitting.
According to a 2018 study in the Journal of Pediatric Physical Therapy (4), “Infants who lack tummy time may experience delays in developmental milestones, particularly in areas involving strength, coordination, and mobility.” These delays can have lasting effects, potentially impacting an infant’s posture and balance as they grow, leading to challenges in coordination that may affect their physical activities later in childhood.
Tummy time is crucial for a range of reasons, significant ones include:
Motor Skill Development: Tummy time strengthens core muscles necessary for mobility, forming the foundation for skills like crawling, sitting, and eventually walking. Babies with limited tummy time may struggle with gross motor tasks and need additional support to meet typical physical milestones.
Postural and Cognitive Development: Tummy time encourages head lifting, which not only builds neck strength but also supports postural control and spatial awareness. These skills are linked to cognitive development, as infants learn to process and interact with their environment more effectively and prevents the infant developing flat spots and from developing twisted neck syndrome.
1. Increased Use of Containers
The rise of “containers” like car seats, bouncers, and swings has become prevalent, offering convenience but often restricting movement, which can delay the development of critical skills like rolling, crawling, and walking. Practitioners can adapt Pikler’s principles by balancing container use with ample floor time, where infants can practice natural motor skills and work on essential muscle development.
2. Impact of Screen Time on Developmental Milestones
Increasing screen exposure can contribute to sedentary behaviour, potentially slowing the development of critical motor skills needed to reach milestones like rolling, sitting, and crawling. Screen-based activities are primarily visual and cognitive, lacking the physical engagement infants need for gross motor development. This shift has prompted experts to blend Pikler’s autonomy-focused approach with interactive play to encourage more hands-on movement.
