Gross Motor Developmental Milestones in Infants & Toddlers

As your baby grows, every new wiggle, stretch, and tiny triumph feels like a milestone worth celebrating. It’s completely natural to wonder whether your child is developing at the right age and what types of movements or skills to expect next. Every child is unique, and their journey through motor skill development unfolds at its own pace. Still, understanding typical gross motor skills for each age can give you confidence and help you recognize when a little extra support may be needed.

At Ivy Rehab, we know how important these early moments are. Our goal is to empower families with clear, reassuring guidance so you can support your child’s growth with confidence.

What Are Gross Motor Developmental Milestones?

Gross motor developmental milestones are movements and skills that infants, toddlers, and children typically acquire as they grow. Gross motor milestones differ from fine motor milestones in that “gross motor” refers to the large muscle groups in the upper body, lower body, and trunk. These larger muscles are responsible for movements such as rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, running, kicking, and other actions. 

Gross motor milestones are important for child development. Knowing their fine motor skills and developmental milestone can also help you know a present developmental delay.

Why Are Gross Motor Skills Important in a Child’s Development?  

Infants and toddlers learn by exploring their environment. Gross motor skills are a major way that children are able to explore. Infants start in limited positions with limited skills. They are mainly lying on their backs or bellies or being held or propped up. They’re moving against gravity in different ways, which allows for the development of strength through their trunk, shoulders, and hips.

As infants develop their core muscles, that’s when they can start to develop additional skills like rolling and sitting. Each set of milestones is important for gross motor skill development so that the child can then build on that current set of skills. They go on to crawl, pull to stand, cruise, then stand alone and walk alone.  

Gross motor milestones are also a way for kids to develop a sense of movement, confidence in their bodies, and an understanding of how they work. With time and practice, children master these developmental skills and become experts in moving their bodies. Developmental milestones are imperative at each stage of a child’s life.

Gross Motor Skills for Each Age: What to Expect

Below is a general overview of gross motor skills for each age. Remember, all children develop on their own timeline, and slight variations are normal.

0-3 Months:  

• Tummy time: pick head up, turn head to each side, and prop on their elbows 
• Supine (lying on back): bring hands to midline, grasp for toy 
• Visually track faces, lights, toys 

3-6 Months:  

• Tummy time: push up to hands, reach for toys while propping, pivot to different toys 
• Supine (lying on back): find their feet, bring feet to mouth 
• Rolling: starting to roll back to belly and belly to back 
• Sitting: prop sitting with hands supporting on floor 

6-9 Months:  

• Tummy time: push up from belly to sitting position 
• Rolling: can roll back to belly and belly to back without difficulty and without a side preference 
• Sitting: independent sitting and playing with toys 
• Hands and knees: move from belly to hands and knees, rock on hands and knees, and start to crawl 

9-12 Months:  

• Hands and knees: crawling over objects 
• Standing: pull to stand on furniture, lowering to sitting from supported stand position, and eventually letting go of support to stand alone 
• Moving: cruising along furniture, walking with hands held, eventually releasing support and taking independent steps 

1 Year:  

• Walking: vary speeds, start to run 
• Stairs: crawl safely up and down, walk up and down stairs with assistance 
• Ball skills: kick and throw from standing position without falling 

2 Years:  

• Start to jump: clear the floor when jumping on the ground, jump down from short distance, jump forward with two-footed take-off and landing 
• Stairs: balance is improving, can safely walk up and down stairs without help 
• Ball skills: throwing and kicking pattern start to mature, see a more coordinated motion for each, start to catch ball 

3 Years:  

• Balance: start to balance on one foot for up to 3 seconds without falling 
• Stairs: can go up and down without help, uses 1 foot per step  
• Running: runs with arm swinging, can stop quickly without losing balance 
• Jumping: jump forward 24 inches, jump down higher heights without falling 
• Ball skills: starts to throw ball to target with more accuracy 

4 Years:  

• Hopping: start to hop on one foot, both up and down as well as forward without falling 
• Balance: balance is improving, stand on each foot for 5 seconds 
• Jumping: can jump forward up to 36 inches 
• Ball skills: catch, kick, and throw with mature pattern and accuracy to target 

5 Years:  

• Ride a bike! 
• Coordinated jumps: jump rope, hopscotch, jumping jacks, gallop, and skip 
• Balance: can balance on each foot for 10 seconds 
• Sit-ups: can do several sit-ups without difficulty 
• Ball skills: throwing and kicking to a target accurately, catching a small ball with both hands

Signs Your Child May Be Delayed

While every child develops differently, some signs may indicate delays in motor skills or physical development.¹ You may notice your child:

• Is not rolling, sitting, crawling, or walking within expected age ranges
• Avoids tummy time or dislikes weight-bearing activities
• Uses one side of the body significantly more than the other
• Has difficulty keeping balance or coordinating movements
• Shows limited interest in exploring or engaging with their environment
• Seems unusually stiff or floppy when handled

If these signs sound familiar, early support can make a meaningful difference.

Activities to Encourage Gross Motor Development

Daily play is one of the best ways to support healthy motor skill development. Here are simple, child-friendly activities to help build strength, coordination, and confidence:

• Tummy time throughout the day to strengthen neck and trunk muscles
• Reaching games with toys to promote rolling and side-to-side movements
• Supported sitting with pillows or a caregiver’s help
• Crawling tunnels to encourage little ones to move through space
• Pushing toys to practice standing and walking
• Outdoor play like running, kicking balls, and gentle climbing
• Balance games (e.g., standing on one foot, walking on a line)
• Music and movement activities—dancing, jumping, stomping, hopping

These activities promote strength, coordination, and overall physical activity in a fun, engaging way.

When to Seek Help

You may want to consult a pediatric physical therapist if:

• Your baby or toddler is consistently missing several milestones
• Your child avoids movement or seems fearful of exploring
• You notice significant asymmetry in their movements
• Your child isn’t engaging in play that requires strength or balance
• You simply feel unsure about their development

Early intervention supports confidence and long-term success. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s always okay to ask for help.

How Ivy Rehab for Kids Can Help 

If you are concerned that your child is not meeting gross motor developmental milestones at the right time or is skipping milestones, a pediatric physical therapist can help! Ivy Rehab for Kids offers personalized pediatric physical therapy programs built to support motor skills, confidence, and healthy development at every age.

Our therapists create fun, engaging treatment plans tailored to your child’s needs so they learn through play, exploration, and meaningful movement. find an Ivy Rehab for Kids location near you and don’t hesitate to reach out for help.