Why Crawling Is Such an Important Milestone
In 2022, the CDC updated its developmental milestone checklist and removed crawling as an official milestone. Even though it’s no longer on the checklist, pediatric occupational and physical therapists still consider crawling to be a very important part of early development.
Crawling is much more than a way for babies to get from one place to another. It helps build the foundation for future motor skills, learning, and everyday activities.
Most babies begin crawling somewhere between 6 and 10 months, although every child develops at their own pace.
Why Is Crawling So Important?
It Helps Build the Brain
Crawling gives your baby’s brain and body the chance to work together in ways that support future learning.
One reason therapists encourage crawling is that it helps integrate a primitive reflex called the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR).
The STNR appears around 6-9 months and usually goes away by 9-11 months. It helps babies move from lying on their tummy to getting up on their hands and knees to crawl. Think of it as a bridge between automatic baby reflexes and purposeful movement.
If this reflex isn’t fully integrated, some children may have challenges later on with things like:
- Maintaining good posture
- Sitting upright for long periods
- Handwriting
- Eye tracking while reading
- Attention and focus
- Coordination and body awareness
This doesn’t mean skipping crawling automatically causes these difficulties, but crawling provides an important opportunity for the brain to practice these skills.
It Builds Strength and Stability
Crawling is a full-body workout!
As babies crawl, they strengthen their:
- Core muscles
- Shoulders and arms
- Hips and legs
This strength creates the foundation they need for standing, walking, climbing, and playing.
Strong shoulder and core muscles also support fine motor skills later on, like holding a spoon, coloring, buttoning clothes, and writing.
Even the muscles involved in breathing, talking, and eating benefit from the strength developed during crawling.
It Encourages Crossing Midline
When babies crawl, they naturally move one arm and the opposite leg together. This requires them to cross the middle of their body, also called the midline.
Crossing midline helps strengthen communication between the two sides of the brain and supports skills such as:
- Handwriting
- Reading and eye tracking
- Visual skills
- Coordination
- Learning new motor skills
It’s a simple movement with big developmental benefits.
It Improves Coordination
Crawling requires babies to move their right arm with their left leg, and then switch.
This alternating pattern helps both sides of the brain communicate with each other and lays the groundwork for future skills like:
- Walking
- Running
- Riding a bike
- Climbing stairs
- Getting dressed
- Playing sports
These movements become the building blocks for more complex coordination as children grow.
It Supports Sensory Development
Every time your baby crawls, they’re taking in information from many different sensory systems at once.
Crawling provides input through:
- Touch (hands and knees on different surfaces)
- Muscles and joints (proprioception)
- Balance (vestibular system)
- Vision
- Body awareness
All of this sensory information helps babies understand where their body is in space, how to move efficiently, and how to safely explore their environment.
What If My Baby Doesn’t Crawl?
Not every baby crawls in the same way, or at all. Some scoot, roll, army crawl, or move straight to standing and walking.
However, because crawling offers so many developmental benefits, therapists often encourage babies to spend plenty of supervised tummy time and opportunities to practice getting onto their hands and knees before walking.
If you have concerns about your baby’s movement or development, talk with your pediatrician or a pediatric occupational or physical therapist. Early support can make a big difference.
Resources:
Little Feet Therapy. (2023). Why is crawling important in occupational therapy and physical therapy? https://littlefeettherapy.com/why-is-crawling-important-in-occupational-therapy-and-physical-therapy/
Pump Station & Nurtury. (2022). Why was crawling eliminated from CDC developmental milestones? https://www.pumpstation.com/blogs/parenting-information-help-library/why-was-crawling-eliminated-from-cdc-developmental-milestones
DaCosta, K. (2024, March 25). Crawling: A vital infant milestone. Summit Professional Education. https://summit-education.com/blog/general/crawling-a-vital-infant-milestone/
