Passive Stretching For The Ankle Indication : Do this stretch if your child cannot put his foot flat on the ground and walks with a tip-toeing gait. This is because the calf muscles are short and stiff. Positioning : Rest the childs leg comfortably bent on a pillow or your leg. Holding : Place the hand which is close to the knee just above it without pressing on the knee-cap. How to stretch : Push up the foot gently for six to ten times to loosen it. Your perform a dual action: the thumb and index finger on the heel are pulling the heel while the arm and ball of your hand are pushing up. After that push the foot up all the way without too much force. This stretch should be slow and sustained. Hold it for a minute (count to 30).