Toddlers standing up
Toddlers will usually stand up from sitting by moving into bear standing (with weight on the hands and feet) and then coming erect from this position. Standing up is usually followed by walking forwards towards a new focus of interest.
How context changes the movement strategy
The exact pattern of movement depends on whether they want to pick up a toy at the same time.
Here you see Will at 16 months standing up moving from sitting to a half squat, pick up a ball and then come erect.
The movement from sitting to half squat happens very quickly as Will uses momentum to lift himself up onto his feet and hands.
Here is another sequence of frames, this time showing Will standing up and immediately walking forwards. Notice how he adjusts his foot position before lifting his hands up off the floor.
Video clip: 15 month toddler sitting down and standing up
How young children stand up from sitting
Young children adopt a different pattern of movements when standing up from sitting.
They will often take weight on one arm, move into a squat position and stand up in one swift movement. This action requires the use of momentum and a rapid development of force in the knees extensors to lift the buttocks up off the floor.
Here you see Roan (5 year) getting up from the floor on request.
When instructed to stand up without pushing on the arm, Roan reluctantly stood up by moving into kneeling and then standing up through half kneeling.
She was also instructed to put her hands on her hips to stop her from using them to push up, but did not manage to keep them there as she needed them to assist with generating momentum and for balance.
