Infant walkers, also known as baby walkers, refer to a type of device designed to help babies learn to walk by providing support. The spelling of the word is "ˈɪnfənt ˈwɔːkəz" in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The IPA shows that the first syllable is pronounced as "in-fuhnt," with a short "i" sound followed by an "f" sound, and the second syllable is pronounced as "waw-kuh-z," with a long "o" sound followed by a hard "k" sound and a "z" sound at the end. Overall, this word is important to understand for anyone caring for infants learning to walk.
Infant walkers are specialized devices designed to support infants in their early attempts at walking. These devices typically consist of a frame sitting on wheels, a fabric seat, and an array of toys or entertainment features attached to the frame. The purpose of infant walkers is to facilitate a baby's mobility while providing stability and engaging stimuli for their development.
The fabric seat of an infant walker allows the baby to be comfortably seated while their feet touch the floor. As the baby moves their legs and pushes against the floor, the wheels enable them to glide or roll around the area. This helps the infant in practicing their walking skills, improving strength and coordination in their legs.
Infant walkers often come equipped with toys, buttons, or musical features that play sounds or melodies when activated. These interactive elements are meant to entertain and engage the baby, heightening their curiosity and encouraging cognitive and sensory development.
It is important to note that while infant walkers can be beneficial in aiding early walking skills, they should always be used under close adult supervision. Due to safety concerns, some countries have even banned or regulated their use. In order to prevent accidents and injuries, it is crucial to ensure that the infant walker is used on a flat and hazard-free surface, away from staircases, pools, or other dangerous areas.
Overall, infant walkers serve as a tool to assist a baby in their developmental journey towards independent walking, while also providing entertainment and stimulation.
The word "infant walkers" consists of two parts: "infant" and "walkers".
1. "Infant": The term "infant" comes from the Latin word "infans", which means "young child" or "baby". Over time, the term was adopted into various languages, including English, with the same meaning.
2. "Walkers": The word "walkers" is related to the verb "to walk", which has Old English roots. "Walk" originates from the Proto-Germanic word "walkaną", meaning "to move about on foot". As English developed, the term "walk" transformed into a noun, allowing for the creation of related words like "walker", indicating a person or device used for walking.
Therefore, the term "infant walkers" refers to devices designed to assist young children in learning to walk by providing support and stability.