Gross Motor Skills in Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Wondering what to expect for gross motor skill development? It's important to note that children's physical development doesn't always

 follow a straight line, so you shouldn't compare your kid to others their age (as tempting as it may be.) That said, there are certain gross motor skills that children usually have mastered, or at least begun to display, at particular ages.

Here, we break down some examples of age-by-age gross motor skill milestones for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Gross Motor Skills in Newborns and Young Babies (0-6 Months Old)

• Rolling from their back to their tummy, and vice versa
• Turning their head sideways while lying on their back—and also during tummy time
• Pushing up with their arms during tummy time

• Engaging in leg kicking and arm movements while lying on their back
• Raising their head when pulled up to sit
• Tolerating tummy time comfortably
• Bringing their feet to their mouth while lying down

Gross Motor Skills in Older Babies (6-12 Months Old)

• Sitting by themselves
• Reaching for items while in a seated position
• Moving their bodies into different positions (like lying and sitting)
• Crawling on their tummy
• Creeping, and then crawling, on their hands and knees
• Pulling up to stand
• Standing alone for a few seconds
• Walking with support—and possibly taking a few steps without
• support