Gross Motor Skills by Age
On Track for Kindergarten - An OberlinKids Program
Gross Motor Skills are developed when a child uses their large muscles to play and explore. This practice starts at birth. Gross Motor Skills are essential for school and lifelong success. They are used for daily tasks like walking, climbing, balancing, and sitting.
3 Months
Learns to support their own head. Pushes up with their arms when lying on their stomach.
6 Months
Rolls over. Bounces on legs when held in a standing position.
9 Months
Sits up without support. May begin crawling. Moves from sitting to lying down.
12 Months
Stands up and may start to walk. Climbs on everything! Stands independently.
18 Months
Walks and runs independently. Learning to catch and throw. Runs on tip toes.
2-3 Years
Getting better at kicking, throwing, and catching a ball. Walks up and down stairs holding onto a railing.
3-4 Years
Catches objects. Swings, climbs, skips, and jumps. Hops on one foot.
4-5 Years
Balances and controls a small bike. Gets dressed independently except for zippers, ties, and buttons.
What Parents Can Do to Help:
Give your child toys just out of reach to encourage them to stretch and roll towards them. Support your child while holding them so they can build up their core muscles. Dance, play, swim, run, make an obstacle course, ride bikes-together! Play at a park to practice using muscles needed for climbing, hanging, pulling, and pushing. Spend time outside exploring nature. Go for a nature walk, find treasures, look for animals. Get at least 60 minutes of physical activity together each day.
