Health professionals do not like the word normal, especially when referring to the development of babies, toddlers and children, as they all grow at their own pace. There are wide and varying time frames for typical development and even this can be affected by each child’s experiences in early life.
For example:
1) A child who has been hospitalised and has not spent much time playing on the floor
2) Reflux babies who do not tolerate tummy time
3) A child copying older siblings compared to an only child
Below is a general guideline for when you baby should start demonstrating certain gross motor skills:
0 – 3 months:
- Limbs remain relatively straight
- Kicks feet when on back
- Brings hands and fingers to mouth
- Able to support head in mid line in supported sitting
3 – 6 months:
- Brings feet to mouth when lying on back
- Begins reaching
- Able to lie on propped on elbows and follow moving toy
- Sits with support
- Begins to roll from tummy to side or back to side
6 – 9 months
- Able to pivot and reach for toys when lying on stomach
- Roll from tummy to back and back to tummy
- Creeping
- On all fours rocking back and forward
- Moves from lying to sitting
- Able to sit with support from hands
9 – 12 months
- Begins to crawl
- Can sit unaided
- Pulls to stand
- Cruises along furniture
- Walking with one hand held
12 – 18 months
- Walks independently
- Walks up one step with support
- Runs
- Kicks a ball
Older than 2 years of age
- Jumping
- Walks on balance beam
- Can pick objects off floor
- Can walk up and down stairs without assistance
If you are concerned that your child is not progressing or not keeping up with children of a similar age contact us or book an appointment online to have your child reviewed by a physiotherapist.
