Lamp Post to Lamp Post

What you need

• their shoes for a short walk

How to do it

1. Take them out of the buggy on a quiet stretch of pavement.
2. Let them toddle ahead to the first lamp post while you walk just behind.
3. They stop and pat the lamp post; catch up, say 'one!' together, then off they go to the next.
4. Pop them back in the buggy or carry them whenever they've had enough.

Why it matters

A lamp post a short way off is a goal they can see, and a walk becomes a string of little arrivals.

What they're learning

Walking on their own

Toddling ahead to a lamp post they can see is steady walking with a target.

A goal to reach

Each lamp post is somewhere to get to.

Counting

One lamp post, two lamp posts: numbers on a walk.

What to look for

Watch for them pulling towards the next lamp post on their own.

A tip

Pick a quiet street with a wide pavement. Keep them on the inside, away from the kerb, and stay close enough behind to reach them; each lamp post is where they stop and wait for you. Hold hands past driveways and at crossings.

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