All children develop at their own pace, this is a guide only and it is important not to be alarmed if your child doesn’t reach a milestone exactly as the table suggests.  If you have any concerns please have your child checked by a paediatric Physiotherapist.

 Gross motor skills are the large body movements that involve control and
co-ordination of the large muscles e.g. - sitting, walking and running.

 

 Fine motor skills are the small body movements that involve control and co-ordination of the small muscles e.g. - drawing, picking up blocks, clapping and holding a book.

 

0-6 weeks	·         On tummy turns head to one side, buttocks high with knees tucked up to tummy, arms close to body and arms bent   ·         On back: head looks to one side, arm on that side straight   ·         Significant head lag when pulled to sit   ·         Spine in one curve   ·         Jerky limb movements   ·         Keeps hands in a tight fist
6 weeks to 3 months	·         Increasing control of neck and shoulder muscles   ·         On tummy: starting to be able to raise head, lies more flat, may rest on forearms   ·         On back: head in the middle and limbs start to move symmetrically   At 3 months ·         Hands bought together for finger play   ·         Grasps and shakes toys   ·         No head lag when pulled to sit   ·         Lumbar curve   ·         Pushes down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface
3-6 months	·         On tummy: raises head easily, at 6 months able to support self on outstretched arms   ·         On back: able to lift head from floor, reach for toys, lift legs and grasp feet   ·         Stretches out to be lifted   ·         Pulled to sit: braces shoulders and assists   ·         Sits with support   ·         Standing: able to take weight when held in standing   ·         Bounces vigorously
6-9 months	·         Attempt to crawl   ·         Rolls (front to back first)   ·         Dislikes lying flat on back unless playing with toys or sleepy, uses hands and feet to reach for toys   ·         Pulls self to sit   ·         Sit with support of own arms (7 months), no support (8months) and able to sit and reach (9 months)   ·         Pulls to stand   ·         Pokes and points with index finger   ·         Transfers objects between hands
9-12 months	·         Sits happily for long periods   ·         Attains sit on own from a lying position (12 months)   ·         Crawls rapidly   ·         Walks around furniture   ·         Walks with hands held (11-12 months)   ·         Picks up objects and puts them in mouth
12-15 months	·         Walks alone with wide feet, uneven steps and arms out, tumbles frequently   ·         Kneels alone   ·         Crawls upstairs   ·         Picks up fine objects between thumb and index finger (pincer grasp)   ·         Drops and throws toys deliberately
15-18 months	·         Walks well and starts running, stops and starts safely   ·         Pulls and pushes wheeled toys   ·         Crawls up and downs stairs (starts backward)   ·         Walks upstairs with help   ·         Bends over to pick up toys   ·         Backs into a small chair   ·         Climbs forward into an adult chair and turns around   ·         Picks up small objects with precise pincer grasp using either hand   ·         Grasps crayon in palm and imitates a to and fro motion   ·         Builds a tower of 3 cubes   ·         Turns pages of a board book
2 years	·         Runs well   ·         Walks upstairs   ·         Squats to play with toys on floor   ·         Climbs on furniture   ·         Picks up objects accurately and quickly   ·         Removes paper wrapping from a small sweet   ·         Builds a tower of 6 to 7 cubes   ·         Holds a pencil in preferred hand   ·         Spontaneous scribble
2.5 years	·         Walks up and down stairs   ·         Climbs   ·         Sits on pedal cycle propels with feet and steers with hands   ·         Holds pencil with tripod grasp
3 years	·         Walks upstairs (alternating feet)   ·         Walks on tiptoe   ·         Stand momentarily on 1 foot   ·         Threads large wooden beads onto a shoe lace   ·         Uses pencil with good control   ·         Starts to copy letters, numbers and shapes   ·         Paints with a large brush   ·         Cuts with scissors   ·         Learning to use cutlery   ·         Attempts to tie shoelaces and do up buttons
4 years	·         Walks easily up and down stairs ·         Runs on tip toe ·         Climbs ladders and playground equipment ·         Rides pedal cycle quickly and turns corners ·         Stands on 1 foot 3-5 sec ·         Threads small beads ·         Draws basic pictures (house, person)
5 years	·         Walks along a chalked line ·         Runs up and down stairs ·         Climbs trees ·         Stands on one foot 8-10 sec ·         Hops and skips ·         Threads a needle and sews large stitches ·         Write some letters and shapes well (VTHOXLACUY, square and triangle) ·         Colours pictures neatly staying within lines   Cuts neatly along a line

You can play a role in assisting your child’s development. Activities you can do include:

POSITIONING

Vary the positions you hold baby and leave baby to play during the day.  Babies enjoy lying on the back with toys above them and out to the sides to encourage reaching and kicking.  Lie baby on his side (you may need a rolled towel to support) when you are there to supervise baby, be sure to do both sides.

 

TUMMY TIME

 

Tummy time is important when baby is awake and supervised – this takes the pressure off baby’s soft head and allow baby to strengthen his neck and back muscles, especially if you play with baby to encourage him to lift his head and tickle his back.  Start tummy time for just a few minutes several times a day and slowly build up as baby tolerates it better.  Ways you can incorporate tummy time include:  lying baby on his tummy with a roll under baby’s chest, holding baby across your lap, holding baby over your arm, sitting on the couch with baby on your tummy.

TOUCH

Touching, stroking, massaging, tickling etc baby helps baby’s development.

 

ACTIVITIES

Aim for a large range of activities to stimulate babies and children’s development. A variety of positions and activities allow your baby to use different muscles throughout the day.

 

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

·         Finger play and songs e.g.- incy wincy spider

·         Play musical instruments

·         Play with blocks

·         Board books

·         Art and craft (age appropriate)

·         Sand and water play

·         Dress up play

·         Plasticine

·         Finger food e.g.-sultanas

GROSS MOTOR SKILLS

·         Encourage splashing and kicking in the bath

·         Encourage your baby to play with his hands and feet, when very young you can facilitate this by bringing babies feet and hands together at nappy change time

·         Tickle his feet at change time to encourage kicking

·         Leave babies on the floor to explore their environment in their own way

·         Provide large, safe playing spaces, with furniture that baby can pull up on

·         Play with a large ball

·         Play Simon Says  and mimic actions

·        Action songs

·         Encourage your child to move like different animals

·         Encourage your child to ride a bike

 

** Remember always read babies cues, DO NOT FORCE baby into certain positions, leave him in a position, or force him to do an activity if he is distressed. **

Although it is important to assist your child’s development, pushing a child promotes frustration and disappointment.  Children should be allowed to acquire their motor skills at their own rate.  If you feel your child is severely lagging in achieving their motor milestones, please make an appointment to see your local Paediatric Physiotherapist.

Signs there may be a problem includes if your baby is always very tight or very floppy, his legs and arms are always curled up, his eyes don’t follow what is going on around him, he is not putting on weight, and he is very disinterested in his surroundings. If you are concerned please discuss it with your doctor.

Limit use of Bouncers and Walkers!

Many parents place their baby in bouncers and walkers (a sling suspended on a rigid frame with wheels) thinking that they are encouraging babies development and helping them learn to walk, but in fact there is research to suggest that babies that use these types of equipment often are actually slower to reach their motor milestones.

Excessive use of bouncers, walkers and standing activity centres teach poor movement patterns such as toe walking, and poor pelvic position and control which will delay walking or cause poor patterns which may leads to problems later on. 

Allowing baby to crawl and pull himself up while holding onto furniture makes the muscles needed for walking stronger and assists with balance.

Excessive weight bearing of any type is not recommended before 6 months of age as the baby’s bones are not yet strong enough to take that much load.

 

Disclaimer  

Tummies, Mummies and Bubbies have provided these articles for general information only and they should in no way be considered as a substitute for the advice and information your physiotherapist and or doctor will supply about your particular condition. It is recommended that you always seek professional advice.

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate, Tummies, Mummies and Bubbies accept no responsibility and cannot guarantee the consequences if you choose to rely upon these contents as your sole source of information.