
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)