What are Gross Motor Skills?

Gross Motor (Physical) skills involve movements of the large muscles of the arms, legs, and torso. These are necessary to perform everyday activities including walking, running, jumping, throwing, kicking, and navigating in your environment. Gross Motor skills progress as children grow and develop and allow children to participate in age appropriate play skills as well allowing them successful opportunities at the playground, in the community, and with family and peers. Most children develop these easily and automatically but some children need help to progress and succeed. Gross Motor skills also begin the foundation for other skills including balance, coordination, body awareness, fine motor skills and endurance.

General Gross Motor Milestone Guidelines: Birth to 5 years

Newborn to 2 mos:

Turns head to both sides while on back
Lifts head and able to turn to both sides while on belly
Head lag with pull to sit
Kicking both legs and moving both arms equally while on back
Performs tummy time on floor regularly

3-4 mos:

Raises head in midline and no head lag noted with pull to sit
Able to hold head up when held
Pushes up on forearms and rotates head side to side while on belly
Tolerates tummy time well
May be able to roll belly to back
Pushes down on feet when they touch a hard surface

5 mos:

Rolling back to belly
Brings feet to mouth lying on back
Pushing up on extended arms while on belly
Pivots in a circle while on belly to both sides

6-8 mos:

Sits alone
Reaches for toys while in sitting
Catches self to side if loses balance while in sitting
Crawling on belly

9-11 mos:

Moves between laying down and sitting up without help
Crawls on hands and knees
Pulls to standing pushing through one foot
Cruises around furniture
Walks with hands held

11-12 mos:

Walks with one hand held
Standing alone for a few seconds

13-14 mos:

Crawling up stairs
Stands up from floor without support
Walking alone
Squats and stands back up without holding onto support

15-18 mos:

Walks up stairs with hands or rails to help
Crawls down the stairs (on belly, feet first)
Can run (though falls easily)
Kicks ball forward

By 2 yrs:

Walks and runs fairly well
Jumps in place with both feet off the ground
Walks up and down stairs alone
Kicks a ball with either foot
Climbing up and down from furniture without assist

By 3 yrs:

Balance on one foot for a few seconds
Jump forward 10-24 inches
Catch a large ball
Throw ball overhand
Ride a tricycle

By 4 yrs:

Can run, jump, and climb well
Hop on one foot
Can catch a ball reliably
Beginning somersaults

By 5 yrs:

Skipping
Beginning to skate or swim
Riding bicycle
Catches ball without trapping against chest

What do I do if I have concerns for my child’s Gross Motor Skill Development?

If your child is missing a developmental milestone your child can be assessed by a skilled Physical Therapist. We can schedule a 15 minute screening to determine if a full evaluation is recommended or go ahead and schedule a full evaluation. During this time we can discuss your routines and concerns and then evaluate your child’s motor abilities to either implement a plan of care or provide ideas for home. Baby’s early years are critical in their development so early detection and intervention are key!