Early Development

Out and About - Early Physical Skills & Development - Early Development - IntroductionYour baby’s favourite playmate is you- so try to engage in play with your baby daily. Did you know that playtime requires significant brain and muscle effort from your baby? It aids in developing their social, cognitive, language, and problem-solving abilities, as well as their physical development, serving as one of the primary methods through which they explore and understand their surroundings.

Early Gross Motor Skills: Milestones for Your Little One

Below you will find information on the early milestones in physical development, what to expect at each stage and how to support your child. The milestones are just averages, so don’t worry if your baby takes a little longer. Every child has their own timeline, and they’ll get there in their own perfect time!
 
If you have concerns about your baby’s gross motor development, speak with your health visitor or request a paediatric physiotherapy referral from your GP.

Rolling (4-6 months)

Rolling is your baby’s first big move! Around 4-6 months, you’ll find them flipping from their tummy to their back and vice versa. It’s an exciting sign of their growing strength and coordination.
 
Encourage rolling by giving your baby plenty of time throughout the day on their back and on their tummy with toys around them - but not too close to motivate the baby to move to reach the toys!
 
Click here to read a helpful leaflet from EI Smart with further advice on rolling.
 
Click here for a helpful leaflet from the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists on promoting physical development in babies and young children.
 
If your baby is not showing signs of trying to roll by 6 months despite trying these ideas, please seek advice with your health visitor or paediatric physiotherapist.

Independent Sitting (5-8 months)

Between 5-8 months your baby will begin to sit up independently. They might start with some wobbles but soon they will be sitting confidently, freeing their hands to explore and play. Babies do not develop their ability to save themselves with their hands until after they have learnt to sit independently so be mindful of being close to baby for support while they are learning.
 
Click here for a helpful leaflet from the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists on promoting physical development in babies and young children.
 
If your baby is not showing signs of sitting by themselves 8 months despite trying these ideas, please seek advice with your health visitor or paediatric physiotherapist.

Crawling (7-12 months)

Around 7-12 months, your baby will start crawling. Whether it’s the classic crawl, army crawl, bottom shuffle, or their own unique style, they’ll be on the move, eager to explore their environment.
 
A baby needs to be happy on their tummy and able to push themselves up on their hands and knees before they can crawl. Babies need a surface with grip such as carpet or a rug, so they can push themselves without slipping.
 
Click here for a helpful leaflet from the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists on bottom shuffling.
 
If your baby is not showing signs of crawling at 12 months, despite trying these ideas, please seek advice with your health visitor or paediatric physiotherapist.

Standing (9-12 months)

From 9-12 months, your baby will start pulling themselves up to stand. Holding onto furniture or your hands, they’ll be practicing their balance and getting ready for the next big milestone. Babies need to be able to pull themselves up to stand to then be able to walk - they will need appropriate height tables/ chairs/ sofas to pull themselves up on. Door bouncers and standing/ jumping baby walkers should be avoided, or their use kept to very short periods as they do not help a baby to develop physically. They encourage babies to stand on tip toe and arch their backs. Your baby may then find it difficult to learn to stand and be still and stand and walk with flat feet.
 
Click here for a helpful leaflet from the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists on baby walkers.
 
If your baby is not showing signs of trying to stand or take weight through their feet by 12 months, and you have been practising these ideas, please contact your health visitor or paediatric physiotherapist.

Walking (9-18 months)

The grand finale of early motor skills – walking! Between 9-18 months, your little one will take their first steps. At first, they may be a bit unsteady but soon they’ll be walking with confidence, exploring their world on two feet. Babies will first learn to stand with support from furniture, cruise around the furniture, walk with push-a-long walkers, or hands held before taking their first steps. Other factors can influence when a baby takes their first independent steps such as the space between furniture, having wooden or laminate flooring or previous prolonged use of a baby walker.
 
If your baby is not showing signs of walking by 18 months and you have tried these ideas, please contact your health visitor or paediatric physiotherapist.

Toddlers – Advanced Gross Motor Skills

As toddlers take their first steps, they’ll gradually perfect their walking, becoming quicker and more stable while falling less often. Soon, they’ll start trying to run and navigate steps and stairs, although they’ll need close supervision to stay safe as they have little awareness of danger.
 
By age 2, toddlers will be able to run and avoid obstacles, climb onto and off furniture, and navigate stairs with help or by holding the railing. They’ll also start scooting on ride-on toys without pedals. If your child began walking later, between 18 months and 2 years, these skills might develop a bit later too, but don’t worry—they’ll catch up in no time!
 
At 3 years old, toddlers will be able to run fast, jump, climb playground slides, pedal tricycles, kick and throw balls, and balance briefly on one leg.
 
For toddlers to develop these impressive skills, they need regular practice. Just as adults need practice to learn new things, toddlers do too. They require space and varied environments to explore, such as running and jumping in the garden or park while playing chase games with you.
 
Other activities like soft play, swimming, and using playground equipment provide excellent opportunities for toddlers to stay active and develop new skills.
 
Speak with your health visitor or request a paediatric physiotherapy referral from your GP if you have concerns about your child’s gross motor development.
 
Further information on leg shape and walking can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What advice can you give me about Tummy Time?

Tummy time is like a baby workout session for building upper body strength. You can begin tummy time right from birth by placing your little one on your chest — just make sure you’re fully awake so you don’t nod off! Gradually up the tummy time each day, and when your baby is ready, move the action to the floor.
 
Tummy time is fantastic for strengthening the back, neck, and shoulders, which is important for gross motor development for areas such as rolling and sitting up by themselves. It also helps to promote a more rounded head shape. Plus, it gives your baby a whole new perspective on the world.
 
What if your baby is not enjoying tummy time? Don’t worry, this is normal for a lot of babies!
 
  • Try rolling up a towel or placing a small cushion under your baby’s chest to prop them up.
  • Place some toys in front of the baby, for them to interact with.
  • Try singing or talking with your baby.
  • Gradually build up the time spent in this position over the course of the day.

When to seek further advice:
 
  • Difficulty lifting their head by age 3 months.
  • Stiff legs with little or no movement.
  • Pushing back with head.
  • Head turning to one side only.

Speak with your health visitor or request a paediatric physiotherapy referral from your GP if you have concerns about your baby’s development.
 
Click here for a helpful leaflet from the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists on tummy time.
 
More resources on play activities with your baby can be found on the EI Smart website. The EI Smart website has free leaflets with tips for all areas of development based on child’s age. They are available in various languages.

What kinds of highchair should I use and when?

Children can start using highchairs when they learn to sit upright independently on the floor. Ensure good posture when your child is sitting in a highchair.
 
Check that their:
 
  • Back is supported.
  • Hips, knees, and ankles are at 90 degrees.
  • Feet are fully supported on a footrest.
  • Hands can comfortably reach food/plate on the table.
  • Position allows them to maintain an upright posture, not leaning to the sides.

If possible, look for a highchair with the following features:
 
Adjustable: seat and footrests can be adjusted to different heights and depths as the child grows.
 
Safety: pelvic straps, harnesses, and gliders available, which are extensions at the bottom of the chair to avoid the chair tipping backwards.
 
Trunk support: a high back should be considered for further support until the child has fully achieved a stable sitting posture.
 
You can use rolled up towels or high-chair inserts (such as the inflatable one from IKEA) for younger children who are less stable.
 
Straight back: Ensure the child can maintain an upright posture, not leaning to the sides.
 
The use of tray is not always ideal. It is recommended that the chair’s height is adjusted to the dining table, allowing the child to participate in family meals.

Should I use a supportive seat for my child outside of mealtimes?

Physiotherapists recommend that babies spend plenty of time out of supportive seats, lying and playing on the floor for example, to help develop their motor skills – rolling, sitting etc.
 
For typically developing babies, spending a lot of time in a very supportive chair can sometimes delay the development of sitting.
 

Where can I find advice about how to use swaddles or slings safely?

For information on using swaddles and slings, look at this information from the Lullaby Trust.

How much physical activity should my baby (under 1 year) be getting?

The UK’s Chief Medical Officer (Physical Activity Guidelines, 2019) advises that babies less than 1 year of age should be physically active several times every day in a variety of ways, including interactive floor-based activity, e.g. crawling.
 
For infants not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day while awake (and other movements such as reaching and grasping, pushing and pulling themselves independently, or rolling over); more is better.

How much physical activity should my toddler (1-2 years) be getting?

The UK’s Chief Medical Officer (Physical Activity Guidelines, 2019) advises that toddlers (1-2 years) should spend at least 180 minutes (3 hours) per day in a variety of physical activities at any intensity, including active and outdoor play, spread throughout the day; more is better.

How much physical activity should my pre-schooler (3-4 years) be getting?

The UK’s Chief Medical Officer (Physical Activity Guidelines, 2019) advises that pre-schoolers (3-4 years) should spend at least 180 minutes (3 hours) per day in a variety of physical activities at any intensity, including active and outdoor play, spread throughout the day; more is better. At this age, the 180 minutes should include at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (meaning they should be getting out of breath and maybe hot and sweaty).

Where can I find out more about supporting my child’s early physical development?

Where can I find more general advice on caring for my young baby or child?

Last updated20 Jan 2025
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