Gross Motor Milestones 0-18 Months

Watching your child grow and develop is a beautiful journey filled with many exciting moments. For children who face developmental delays, understanding gross motor milestones can provide clarity and hope. These milestones are important markers that help us track progress and guide therapy efforts. In this post, I will walk you through key pediatric gross motor milestones, explain what they mean, and offer practical advice to support your child’s growth.

Understanding Gross Motor Milestones for Children

Milestones are specific skills or behaviors that children typically achieve by certain ages. Gross motor milestones include movement-based activities that promote a child's independent and functional mobility throughout the home and community. This includes rolling, crawling, sitting, standing, walking, jumping, and more!

When a child experiences delays, therapy focuses on helping them reach these milestones at their own pace. While there is an age range during which these motor milestones typically develop, it’s important to remember that every child is unique, and milestones can vary widely. The goal is steady improvement, not perfection.

Key Gross Motor Milestones 0-18 Months

Physical development is often the first area parents notice when they seek therapy. Why isn't my baby rolling? When will my child start walking? Why can't my child jump yet? Why does my child have flat feet? These are all very common questions that run through the minds of parents.

Here are some important physical milestones to watch for:

• 0-3 months:

  • Tummy Time - propping on elbows with head lifting off floor up to 90° by 4 months

• 4-6 months:

  • Bringing hands together & reaching/grasping toys

  • Bringing hands to feet while on back

  • Rolling (tummy to back and back to tummy)

  • Spinning on tummy

  • Pushing up onto hands while on tummy

  • Sitting with hands propped on the floor

• 6-7 months:

  • Sitting (while playing, no hands on floor)

  • Sustaining quadruped

  • Belly crawling

• 7-9 months:

  • Crawling on hands and knees

  • Pulling to stand at a surface

  • Kneeling at a surface

  • Transitioning from tummy to sitting, from sitting to hands and knees or tummy, from back to sitting

• 9-12 months:

  • Pulling to stand at a surface

  • Cruising

  • Standing without support

  • Taking a couple steps

• 12-14 months:

  • Walking

  • Creeping upstairs

  • Throwing overhand

• 16-18 months:

  • Creeping downstairs

  • Walking upstairs step-to with rail

  • Kicking ball

If your child is not meeting these milestones, physical therapy can help improve strength, balance, and coordination. Therapists use fun activities and exercises tailored to your child’s interests to encourage movement and build confidence.

Remember, early intervention is key. The sooner therapy begins, the better the chances of catching up and gaining new skills.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Clarissa today!