Gross motor milestones

0-6 Months - Head Up, Tummy Time

Focuses on gaining head and trunk control against gravity.

• 1 Month: Lifts head briefly in prone.
• 2 Months: Lifts head to 45° in prone.
• 3 Months: Lifts head & chest to 90° in prone (rests on forearms).
• 4 Months: Head steady when held; minimal head lag on pull-to-sit.
• 5 Months: Rolls from supine to prone. Sits with support.
• 6 Months: Sits without support (tripod posture). Rolls both ways.

⭐ Head lag is normal in newborns but its persistence beyond 4-6 months is a major red flag for central hypotonia, warranting urgent evaluation.

6-12 Months - Sit, Crawl, Cruise

• 6 mo: Sits with own hand support (tripod sit); rolls from back to tummy.
• 8 mo: Sits steadily without support for several minutes.
• 9 mo: Begins crawling (commando crawl); pulls to a standing position.
• 10 mo: Creeps well on hands and knees; cruises around furniture.
• 12 mo: Stands alone for a few moments; may take 2-3 steps independently. Walks with one hand held.

⭐ Parachute reflex (downward) appears at 6-9 months and persists for life. It's a key postural reflex indicating neurological integrity.

1-2 Years - Toddler Takes Off

• 12-13 months: Stands without support for a few seconds. Most toddlers achieve independent walking by 13 months. Can stoop to pick up an object and stand back up.
• 15 months: Creeps up stairs on hands and knees. Enjoys walking backward and sideways for fun.
• 18 months: Runs (often stiff-legged). Can throw a ball overhand while standing. Pulls a simple pull-toy while walking forward.
• 24 months (2 years): Runs well without falling. Kicks a ball forward. Goes up and down stairs holding on, placing both feet on each step. Jumps in place.

⭐ Exam Favourite: A key distinction: at 18 months, a toddler can throw a ball, but the milestone of kicking a ball forward without losing balance is typically achieved by 24 months.

2-5 Years - Preschool Power Moves

• 2 years:

  • Runs well without falling.
  • Kicks a ball forward.
  • Goes up and down stairs, 2 feet per step.

• 3 years:

  • Rides a tricycle.
  • Stands on one foot for a few seconds.
  • Climbs stairs with alternating feet (ascending).

• 4 years:

  • Hops on one foot.
  • Goes down stairs with alternating feet (descending).
  • Throws ball overhand.

• 5 years:

  • Skips.
  • Walks on a narrow line (heel-to-toe).
  • Catches a bounced ball most of the time.

⭐ A child can typically ride a tricycle by 3 years of age.

📌 Mnemonic: 2-run, 3-tri, 4-hop, 5-skip.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

• Head control is achieved by 3 months, followed by rolling over at 5-6 months.
• Sits without support is a key milestone at 8 months.
• Stands without support by 12 months and walks independently by 15 months.
• Runs by 18 months; climbs stairs (2 feet per step) by 2 years.
• Rides a tricycle at 3 years, hops on one foot at 4 years, and skips at 5 years.
• Bottom shuffling is a normal variant of crawling and not a sign of delay.