Let’s Talk Gross Motor Deveolpment!

Typical Gross Motor Development for Children

What is gross motor development?

Gross motor development includes the skills needed to participate in a variety of different tasks, such as walking, running, jumping or kicking. These skills are produced through the large muscles within our bodies, such as the arms and the legs. Gross motor skills are important for proper movement, balance, and awareness of one’s body in space. 

3-6 months: 

• 3-4 months 
  • Infants can lift their head up in prone (while laying on their tummy)
• 4-6 months 
  • Infants can be propped up on their hands while in prone
• 6 months
  • Infants can begin to roll over in both directions

Toy suggestions to prompt rolling over & lifting of head:

• • Toy rattles
    • Amazon link: Fisher Price Rattle
  • Baby mirror (also helps promote reaching while on tummy) 
    • Amazon link: Tummy Time Baby Mirror

6-12 months:

• 6-9 months
  • Infants can push up on all fours
  • Sit independently with wide base 
    • Toy recommendation to sit and play: shape sorter or ring stacker 
      • Amazon links: Ring Stacker, Shape Sorter
• 9-12 months
  • Pull to stand 
  • Begin cruising (holding onto couch or table and walking side to side)
  • Some begin walking independently 
• 8-12 months
  • Infants begin to perform a half kneel position (helps child pull to stand) 
• Between 10-12 months 
  • Infants begin to crawl 
• At around 11 months
  • Infants can begin walking with a high guard (walking with arms up and wide base)

18-24 months:

• Walking up and downstairs 
• Starting to run (but not very stable) 

2-3 years:

• Around 2 years old
  • Can begin jumping using both feet
• 2-3 years 
  • Can stand on one foot with support 

3-4 years:

• 3-4 years
  • Can stand on one foot without support
  • Can hop on one foot 
• Between 3.5-4.5 years
  • Ride a tricycle with pedals 

4-5 years:

• Around 4 years and up
  • Pump a swing 
• 4-5 years
  • Can begin to gallop and skip 
  • Become more coordinated with running 
• 5 years 
  • Can hold prone extension and supine flexion for 30 seconds

• 5-7 years
  • Can ride a bike (2 wheeler)