A clever father has used an ingenious life hack to help teach his baby to walk with the aid of a hula hoop.
Standing over his son, Cayden, Gerry Bell dangled the hoop in front of the 10-month-old child, allowing Cayden to grab it, balance and still use his legs.
Moving at a pace that was comfortable for Cayden, 40-year-old Gerry was able to help the child walk down the hallway of his home in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
The idea for the technique, which Gerry caught on camera, stems from the fact that both he and his wife, Katherine, are rather tall, making it painful for them to be hunched over while teaching Cayden to walk.
Gerry said: ‘I was surprised to find out this idea wasn’t common knowledge.
‘Everyone we told about this technique thought it was a brilliant idea and wished they had thought of it for their kids.’
Having uploaded his video to social media, Gerry soon started to receive similar sentiments from members of the public and fellow parents.
As a high school teacher, Gerry joked that most of his social media uploads are about solving chemistry problems – but he is happy to spread the word of this clever tip.
According to BabyCenter, babies take their first steps between 9 and 12 months, and are walking well by the time they reach 14 or 15 months old.
The video shows baby Cayden clinging on to the hoop and hoisting himself upright
Gerry said: ‘There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the video by friends, family and strangers alike.
‘I hope this video gives parents a safe and painless way to help their babies practice walking.
‘I suppose this method can be used by anyone with or without back pain to help their kids.’
Works like a charm: Gerry hit on the idea because both he and Cayden’s mother are tall