Specialties & ConditionsPhysical TherapyResources Gross Motor Skill Development By Age
Gross Motor Skill Development By Age
Children typically acquire certain motor skills by particular ages. The lists below outline these skills and timelines.
0-3 Months
Milestones
- Tummy
- Can lift head off the surface 90 degrees from the surface
- Can place weight through forearms
- May begin rolling from tummy to back
- Back
- Kicks legs off of the surface
- Brings hands to the middle
- Sitting
- Will still need full support to sit and head will bob occasionally
- Standing
- N/A
Concerning Signs
- Child cannot lift their head off the surface
- Arches or pushes back with head
- Stiff legs that do not move or move very little off the surface
- Fisted hands with little to no arm movement away from the surface
3-6 Months
Milestones
- Tummy
- Will play up on extended arms
- Can turn or pivot on their belly in both directions
- Will shift their weight onto one hand to reach for a toy
- Back
- Rolls from back to tummy
- Sitting
- Will sit independently when placed
- Standing
- Will stand with support, takes full weight through legs
- Will begin to bounce in place with support
Concerning Signs
- Not able to lift or hold head up in the middle. Poor head control
- Arches back and stiffens legs
- Rounded back in supported sitting
- Stiff legs in supported standing
- Pull to sit with head lag and no attempt to reach out to caregiver
6-9 Months
Milestones
- Tummy
- Gets into hand and knees position
- Moves from sitting to belly
- Will crawl backward and/or creep on hands and knees
- Back
- N/A
- Sitting
- Sits independently and reaches for toys without falling
- Will start to turn while sitting
- Standing
- Will stand along a supportive surface
- Will pull to stand against a supportive surface
- May start walking (cruising) along furniture
Concerning Signs
- Rounded back still present in sitting
- Poor use of arms or only uses one hand
- Difficulty crawling or does not perform
- Will only use one side of their body
- Won't take weight through legs in supported standing
9-12 Months
Milestones
- Tummy
- Creeps reciprocally on hands and knees
- Back
- N/A
- Sitting
- N/A
- Standing
- Stand without support briefly
- May start to take a few steps independently
- Pulls to stand using half kneel position
Concerning Signs
- Will pull to stand using arms only
- Can't stand because of stiff legs or pointed toes
- Arms very bent or very straight
- Still needs to use a hand for support of to maintain sitting
12-15 Months
Milestones
- Tummy
- N/A
- Back
- N/A
- Sitting
- N/A
- Standing
- Walks independently with fewer falls and increased speed
- Squats without support to pick up a toy
- Will walk up and down stairs with hands held, places both feet on each step
Concerning Signs
- Can't take independent steps
- Stands with poor balance
- Falls frequently
- Walks on toes or with legs very stiff or straight (does not bend their knees)