Gross Motor Skills for Infants and Toddlers

Gross motor skills are the abilities that involve the use of large muscles in your child’s body to execute movements such as sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping, throwing, and catching. These skills are important for everyday activities, as they enable children to move around their environment and engage in physical play and sports.

The growth of gross motor skills is a gradual process that starts during infancy and continues through childhood. 

Here is an overview of gross motor skill development for infants and toddlers:

Infants:

From birth to around 12 months, infants go through a rapid period of gross motor development, achieving many significant milestones along the way. These include:

1. Lifting their head: By 2-3 months, most infants are able to lift their head while lying on their stomach.
2. Rolling over: By 4-6 months, many infants are able to roll from their back to their stomach and vice versa.
3. Sitting up: By 6-8 months, many infants are able to sit up on their own, although they may need support.
4. Crawling: By 8-10 months, many infants are able to crawl on their hands and knees, although some may skip this stage and go straight to walking.
5. Standing: By 9-12 months, many infants are able to stand with support, such as holding onto furniture.
6. Walking: By 12 months, many infants are able to take their first steps, although they may be wobbly and need support.

Toddlers:

From around 12 months to 3 years old, toddlers continue to develop their gross motor skills, becoming more coordinated and confident in their movements. Here are some important gross motor milestones for toddlers:

1. Walking and running: By 18-24 months, most toddlers are able to walk and run with greater control and balance.
2. Climbing: By 2-3 years old, many toddlers are able to climb up and down stairs with assistance and may start to climb onto furniture and play equipment.
3. Jumping: By 2-3 years old, many toddlers are able to jump with both feet off the ground.
4. Riding a tricycle: By 3 years old, many toddlers are able to ride a tricycle or similar ride-on toy.
5. Kicking and throwing: By 2-3 years old, many toddlers are able to kick and throw a ball with more accuracy and control.
6. Dancing and moving to music: Toddlers love to move and dance to music. Which helps them develop their coordination and rhythm.

How can you encourage your child in gross motor skills development? 

There are many things caregivers and parents can do to encourage the gross motor development of infants and toddlers:

1. Provide plenty of opportunities for movement and exploration, both indoors and outdoors.
2. Offer safe and appropriate toys and play equipment that encourages movement, such as balls, push toys, and ride-on toys.
3. Practice tummy time with infants to help them develop their neck and core muscles.
4. Offer support and encouragement as toddlers learn new skills, but also allow them to explore and take risks.
5. Encourage unstructured play and movement, such as running, jumping, and climbing, as well as structured activities like dance or gymnastics.
6. Model movement and physical activity by being active and encouraging your child to join in.

In addition, it’s important to remember that every child is different and may reach these milestones earlier or later than others. Although if you feel like your child’s gross motor development is delayed. You must talk to your pediatrician or a child development specialist. They may recommend pediatric physical therapy that helps your child maximize his or her gross motor potential. 

Raising Superstars provides a platform for parents to spend quality screen-free learning and bonding time with their little ones. Through the programs provided by Raising Superstars, you can nurture your child’s innate potential and help them be their best version!