Gross motor skills are actions and abilities involving the movement of our large muscles. These include movements of our arms, legs, feet or entire body.

Examples include crawling, sitting, standing, walking, running, keeping balance, jumping, climbing and changing positions.

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Healthy Child Development

There are several stages of healthy gross motor skill development that are marked by key abilities.  

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By 3 months

• Holds head up when held to an adult’s shoulder

• Lifts head up when on tummy

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By 4 months

• Keeps head in line with the middle of their body and brings hands to chest when lying on back

• Lifts head and chest and supports self on forearms when placed on tummy

• Holds head steady when supported in sitting position

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By 6 months

• Rolls from back to side

• Pushes up on hands when on tummy

• Sits with support

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By 9 months

• Sits on floor without support

• Moves self forward on tummy or rolls continuously to get an object

• Stands with support

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By 12 months

• Gets up to a sitting position from lying down without help

• Pulls to stand at furniture

• Walks holding onto other peoples hands or furniture

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By 18 months

• Walks alone

• Crawls up stairs

• Squats to pick up a toy and stands back up without falling

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By 2 years

• Walks backwards or sideways pulling a toy

• Kicks a ball

• Able to throw and attempt to catch ball without losing balance

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By 3 years

• Stands on one foot briefly

• Climbs stairs using a handrail or with minimal support

• Throws a ball forward at least one meter (three feet)

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By 4 years

• Stands on one foot for one to three seconds without support

• Goes up stairs using alternating feet

• Runs, stops, and starts without falling

• Catches a large ball with outstretched arms

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By 5 years

• Hops on one foot several times

• Throws and catches a ball successfully most of the time

• Plays on playground equipment  without difficulty 

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... If a child is missing one or more of these expected age outcomes, consider this a red flag