Are my child's motor skills on target?
The following motor skills are typically found at the ages indicated:
| | Tummy (Prone) | Back (Supine) | Sitting | Standing |
| By 3 months | - Can lift head off the surface 90 degrees from the surface *Can place weight through forarms *May begin rolling from tummy to back | - Kicks legs off of the surface. *Brings hands to the middle | - Will still need full support to sit and head will bob occasionally | |
| By 6 months | - Will play up on extended arms - Can turn or pivot on their belly both directions - Will shift their weight onto one hand to reach for a toy | - Rolls from back to tummy | - Will sit independently when placed | - Will stand with support, takes full weight through legs. - Will begin to bounce in place with support |
| By 9 months | - Gets into hand and knees position - Moves from sitting to belly - Will crawl backward and/or creep on hands and knees | | - Sits independently and reaches for toys without falling - Will start to turn while sitting | - Will stand along a supportive surface - Will pull to stand against a supportive surface - May start walking (cruising) along furniture |
| By 12 months | - Creeps reciprocally on hands and knees | | | - Stand without support briefly - May start to take a few steps independently - Pulls to stand using half kneel position |
| By 15 months | | | | - Walks independently with fewer falls and increased speed - Squats without support to pick up a toy - Will walk up and down stairs with hands held, places both feet on each step |
Signs to watch for in your child's physical development
| By 3 Months | - Child can not lift their head off the surface - Arches or pushes back with head - Stiff legs that do not move or move very little off the surface - Fisted hands with little to no arm movement away from the surface |
| By 6 Months | - Not able to lift or hold head up in the middle. Poor head control - Arches back and stiffens legs - Rounded back in supported sitting - Stiff legs in supported standing - Pull to sit with head lag and no attempt to reach out to caregiver |
| By 9 Months | - Rounded back still present in sitting - Poor use of arms or only uses one hand - Difficulty crawling or does not perform - Will only use one side of their body - Won't take weight through legs in supported standing |
| By 12 months | - Will pull to stand using arms only - Can't stand because of stiff legs or pointed toes - Arms very bent or very straight - Still needs to use a hand for support of to maintain sitting. |
| By 15 months | - Can't take independent steps - Stands with poor balance - Falls frequently - Walks on toes or with legs very stiff or straight (does not bend his knees) |