Gross Motor Milestones: What Parents Should Know at Every Age

As your child grows, they go through important stages of physical development — especially when it comes to gross motor skills, which involve large muscle movements like crawling, walking, jumping, and climbing. Understanding what to expect at each stage can help you spot strengths, notice concerns early, and support your child’s development confidently.

Infants (0–12 months)

• Key milestones: Rolling over, sitting without support, crawling, pulling to stand.

• Watch for: Little or no movement of arms/legs, not sitting independently by 9 months, or not crawling by 12 months.
  

Toddlers (1–3 years)

• Key milestones: Walking independently, climbing on furniture, running, kicking a ball.

• Watch for: Frequent falling, trouble climbing stairs, or walking on toes consistently.
  

Preschoolers (3–5 years)

• Key milestones: Pedaling a tricycle, catching a ball, hopping on one foot, balancing.

• Watch for: Difficulty with balance, avoiding physical play, or falling behind peers in play skills.
  

School-Age Children (5+ years)

• Key milestones: Skipping, jumping rope, throwing with coordination, riding a bike.

• Watch for: Awkward or stiff movement, poor posture, or struggling with sports or PE activities.
  

When to Seek Support

Every child develops at their own pace — but if you’re concerned about your child’s gross motor skills, a pediatric occupational or physical therapist can help. At Darling Pediatric Therapy, we offer play-based assessments and strategies to help kids gain strength, balance, and confidence in their movements.

Want to learn more about how we support gross motor development? Contact us or schedule a consultation today.