Motor Skills Development
Discover how your baby develops physical abilities, from early movements to major milestones. Learn about typical developmental timelines and ways to support your baby's motor skill development.
Gross Motor Skills
Learn about large movement skills like rolling, crawling, and walking.
Tummy Time
Age: 2-4 months
Key Skills
- Head lifting
- Neck strengthening
- Core stability
Signs to Look For
- Lifts head 45-90 degrees
- Pushes up on arms
- Shows interest in surroundings
Rolling Over
Age: 4-6 months
Key Skills
- Core strength
- Coordination
- Body awareness
Signs to Look For
- Rolls from tummy to back
- Rolls from back to tummy
- Shows rolling intention
Sitting Up
Age: 4-8 months
Key Skills
- Balance control
- Trunk stability
- Head control
Signs to Look For
- Sits with support
- Maintains balance
- Reaches while sitting
Crawling
Age: 6-10 months
Key Skills
- Coordination
- Strength
- Spatial awareness
Signs to Look For
- Rocks back and forth
- Moves on belly
- Gets into crawling position
Pulling to Stand
Age: 9-12 months
Key Skills
- Leg strength
- Balance
- Coordination
Signs to Look For
- Pulls up on furniture
- Cruises along furniture
- Stands momentarily
Walking
Age: 9-18 months
Key Skills
- Balance
- Coordination
- Strength
Signs to Look For
- Takes steps with support
- Stands independently
- Takes independent steps
Fine Motor Skills
Discover how babies develop hand control and object manipulation skills.
Reaching and Grasping
Age: 3-6 months
Key Skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Grasp reflex
- Visual tracking
Signs to Look For
- Reaches for objects
- Grasps objects
- Transfers objects
Object Manipulation
Age: 6-12 months
Key Skills
- Finger dexterity
- Hand control
- Object exploration
Signs to Look For
- Bangs objects together
- Picks up small objects
- Explores textures
Pincer Grasp
Age: 9-12 months
Key Skills
- Fine finger control
- Precision
- Hand strength
Signs to Look For
- Uses thumb and finger
- Picks up tiny objects
- Shows hand preference
Self-Feeding
Age: 6-18 months
Key Skills
- Hand-mouth coordination
- Utensil use
- Independent eating
Signs to Look For
- Feeds self with fingers
- Holds spoon/cup
- Attempts utensil use
Drawing and Scribbling
Age: 12-24 months
Key Skills
- Grasp development
- Mark making
- Creative expression
Signs to Look For
- Holds crayon/marker
- Makes marks on paper
- Shows drawing interest