From the first reflexive movements as newborns to the complex actions of crawling and walking, understanding how to support and encourage your baby's motor development is crucial. In this guide, we'll help you understand how these skills develop and what you can do to support your baby along the way.
First, 5 key things to know about motor development
There are gross motor skills and fine motor skills. As parents, it's easy to think about gross motor (when will my baby crawl?), but fine motor skills are just as necessary!
Motor skills develop in a "head-to-toe" progression. Hence, you'll notice that your baby works on head control before they can build arm strength or hand strength.
Achieving these skills is more than just a matter of building strength. It's connected to the muscles working together with the development of the neurological system. This process cannot be rushed—only supported as it naturally unfolds.
There are general timelines for when most babies achieve specific motor skills, but every baby is unique, and there is a wide range of normal for when these skills emerge.
While acquiring motor skills is naturally occurring, you have a significant role as a parent in setting the right conditions that either empower their movements or hinder them.
Typical progression of baby's gross motor milestones during baby's first year
Head and neck control - 0-3 months
Rolling stomach to back - 2-4 months
Rolling back to stomach - 5.5-7.5 months
Sitting
Wobbly sitting (4-6 months)
Independent sitting (6-8 months)
Functional sitting (7-11 months)
Crawling - 7-10 months
Pulling to stand - 7-12 months
Walking - 10-18 months
There are also many "mini milestones" worth celebrating, such as scooting, planking, pivoting, and rocking on hands and knees.
Typical progression of fine motor milestones during baby's first year:
Opening hands - 2.5 months+
Batting at toys - 2.5months +
Reaching + whole-hand grasping - 3-4 months +
Rotating wrists - 6 months +
Raking grasp, which looks like reaching their arm, extending fingers to "rake" an object in - 7 months +
Can bring / bang two objects together - 8 months +
Unrefined pincer grasp, or holding an object with the forefinger and thumb- 8 months +
Refined pincer grasp - 10 months +
How to support:
Encourage regular tummy time to help them build strength.
Provide a safe and stimulating environment for your baby to explore on the floor, allowing them to practice rolling, crawling, and other motor skills.
Provide toys that promote reaching, grasping, and manipulating objects, supporting fine motor development at the "just-right" challenge level.
What to avoid:
Overusing baby gear like swings, walkers, and bouncers can restrict babies' natural movement and hinder motor development.
Rushing milestones. Avoid comparing your baby's progress to others and allow them to reach milestones at their own speed.
Offering toys and fine motor activities that are way too advanced or contain an overwhelming amount of pieces.
*If you're unsure what toys are developmentally appropriate, it can help to learn more about your baby's developmental stage. The more you know what skills they might be working on, the easier it will be to filter toys with purpose and relevance.
A lot unfolds in the first year! Give yourself permission to learn and grow alongside your baby. It's not a race; it's a journey.