Baby Milestones by Month: Motor Milestones from 0 to 5 Years

On this page I describe the most important motor milestones from newborn up to the age of 5. Along the way I also mention some milestones for the senses, social contact and language.

The milestones give you a good insight into how children typically develop and what may be worth keeping an eye on along the way. But children are different, and there can be a lot of variation in when each skill develops.

I think it is important that you as a parent have access to good knowledge about your child’s development. Both because it is exciting to follow all the new skills, and because that knowledge lets you support development and react if something is not going quite as expected. At the same time, I know that reading about what your baby is expected to be able to do at a certain age can cause unnecessary worry. It is a balance I am very aware of. That is why I recommend that you read the section Anti-worry before you start using my milestones page.

Warm regards, Maria ❤️

BABY &
CHILD
MILESTONES

Introduction

Anti-worry

Following your baby’s motor development is a perfectly sensible and useful way to keep an eye on whether development is progressing well. That is also why doctors, health visitors and physical therapists look at the different milestones when they assess a child’s development.

But milestones should not be seen as a rigid checklist that every child has to follow to the letter. Some babies are quick to develop certain skills, while others need a little longer. That is completely natural, and a baby can develop completely normally even if they fall outside a narrow average.

However, it is also important to know that there is a difference between ordinary variation and signs that a child may need extra support or a closer examination. Sometimes it is simply about giving the child better opportunities to use and develop their body. Other times there is good reason to look into why development is not going quite as expected.

Of course, it takes experience to tell the difference, so my best advice is to use the milestones as a guide to understanding your child’s development and to take a closer look at anything that may stand out.

There is no reason to worry in advance, but also no reason to carry around a worry that a little professional advice might clear up.

Average motor development

The bell-shaped curve in the picture is a simplified illustration of how typically developing children can reach the same skill at different times. Many children reach a milestone around the average age, while some reach it a little earlier and others a little later.

How big the variation is depends on the milestone. Some skills develop within a fairly narrow age range, while others have a much wider span. That is why your child may well have completely normal motor development even if a certain skill comes earlier or later than the age given here on the page.

Baby and child milestones: average motor development

It is also important to look at the child’s overall development and the quality of their movements. For example, a clear difference between the right and left side of the body may be more relevant to notice than whether a certain skill comes a couple of weeks later than average.

Under each milestone you will find the section “Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby…”. The points are meant to help you spot signs that may be worth looking into more closely. They do not necessarily mean that something is wrong, but some of them should lead to a professional assessment, even if the child is otherwise developing well.

For premature babies (born too early)

If a baby is born more than three weeks early, the milestones should generally be assessed by their corrected age during the first two years of life. The corrected age is the age the baby would have been if they had been born on their due date. For example, if a baby was born 8 weeks before the due date and is now 6 months old, their corrected age is about 4 months. This means that you take into account how many weeks before the due date the child was born.

The corrected age is usually used until the child is around 2 years old, because the extra weeks or months the child should have had in the womb naturally affect when the different skills develop. It is still important, though, to look at how the baby moves, uses their body and develops new skills. So the corrected age should be part of the assessment, but it does not replace an individual assessment of the child’s motor development.

When is it a good idea to step in?

In the first years of life, the brain is especially adaptable, and it develops in step with the experiences the child has. When a baby gets plenty of opportunity to use their body, build strength, work against gravity and try out new movements, an important foundation is laid for further motor development.

That is why, as a pediatric physical therapist authorized in Denmark, I believe in actively supporting motor development through play and movement, even in children who are developing completely normally. It does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. Small, positive movement experiences during the day can do a lot, and the most important thing is that the activities suit your child’s development and keep the joy of movement at the center.

If your child is significantly delayed in their motor development, uses their body very asymmetrically, loses skills or seems uncomfortable when moving, it is a good idea to find out why. Depending on what you observe, it may be relevant to seek advice from your health visitor, your doctor or a pediatric physical therapist. Early intervention can often make a big difference.

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to give your child a good motor foundation, both when development is going entirely as expected and when a little extra help is needed.

You are always welcome to book a physical therapy consultation with me, either at my clinic DeveloBaby Børnefysioterapi in Aarhus, at selected times at Babytjekket in Copenhagen, or online.

When is there real cause for concern?

Fortunately, the vast majority of variations in babies’ motor development are completely harmless. But there are also situations where it is important to react.

If a baby is significantly delayed in their motor development, does not really develop new skills over time or uses their body very asymmetrically, it is a good idea to find out why. The same applies if a baby loses skills they previously had. In that case, it is important to contact your doctor rather than wait and see.

Fortunately, when a child needs extra help with their motor development, it by no means follows that something is seriously wrong. Targeted motor support and small changes in everyday life can often make a really big difference. And if further examinations or treatment are needed, it is very helpful to catch it early.

That is why my advice is always to act on a real concern rather than wait unnecessarily. A talk with your health visitor, your doctor or a pediatric physical therapist can be a good start.

Supporting motor development at home

With my motor exercise programs, it is easy to support your baby’s motor development at home through enjoyable exercises and play. The programs let you get started right away and take active steps in everyday life, without needing a lot of time or special equipment.

The programs can be used preventively and as inspiration for good motor play, but also for targeted support of minor motor challenges such as a flat head (in the middle or on one side), a preferred side, asymmetrical development, or reduced movement quality and endurance. They can also be used alongside a course of treatment with another professional. If motor challenges are clear or persistent, it is also important to have a professional assess whether an individual examination is needed.

The exercises are simple and made to fit into the moments when you are with your baby anyway. I have set them up in order of priority, so it is perfectly fine to do just the first 3–5 exercises if time or energy is short. And on days when you have the time and feel like more active play, you can easily do more. My motor exercise programs are based on my two decades of experience as a physical therapist, relevant research-based knowledge and current professional recommendations. The aim is to help children develop strong, varied and well-functioning motor skills, with the joy of movement at the center.

Sleep and the senses

DeveloBaby Sleep
For babies from about 4 weeks to 2 years who have motor restlessness or a great need for sensory stimulation, and who therefore find it hard to settle, fall asleep or sleep for longer stretches. The program contains regulating sensory stimulation exercises and practical advice for creating more calm around sleep and everyday life in general.
Sensory Integration
For children from about 2 years with signs of sensory processing difficulties. This can be, for example, children who are very sensory seeking or sensory sensitive, find it hard to settle, have sleep difficulties or react strongly to everyday sensory input. The program contains sensorimotor games and activities that can support children’s regulation and well-being.
Book: Sansevenlig Hverdag (Sensory-Friendly Everyday Life)
I wrote the book Sansevenlig Hverdag for parents who would like to understand their child’s nervous system, arousal, sensory processing and regulation a little better. The book is available in Danish only. It is divided into three parts. In part 1, Understanding sensory integration, you get easy-to-understand professional knowledge about your child’s senses and nervous system. Part 2, The child’s silent language, helps you look behind your child’s behavior and understand what it may be expressing. In part 3, A sensory-friendly everyday life in practice, you get a long list of concrete ideas for activities, play and small adjustments that can make everyday life more sensory-friendly for the whole family.

Tummy time and rolling

For the motor stage when your baby is practicing lying on their tummy, lifting and holding their head, rolling from back to tummy, grabbing their feet and turning around on their tummy (pivoting).

Tummy Time
For babies from 4 weeks, both as everyday play inspiration and in cases of mild motor delay. The exercises help build strength and control over the body as a foundation for the coming motor milestones.
Back Arching and Flat Head
For babies with back dominance, who for example arch their back a lot or find tummy time particularly hard. The program is also relevant for a flat head in the middle (brachycephaly).
Preferred Side and Flat Head
For babies with a preferred side, where the head is mostly turned or tilted to the same side, or where the body bends into a clear banana shape. The program can also be used for a flat head on one side (plagiocephaly) and focuses especially on supporting symmetrical movement and strength.

Belly crawling

For the motor stage when your baby can roll from back to tummy and is getting ready to move forward on their tummy.

Belly Crawling
For babies who are not yet belly crawling forward. The program contains exercises that strengthen the body and help your baby develop the movements and coordination needed to move forward using both arms and legs.

Crawling on all fours

For the motor stage when your baby can already belly crawl forward and is ready to practice getting up and crawling on all fours.

Crawling on All Fours
For babies who already belly crawl forward, either with crossing movements or with both sides at the same time (midline belly crawling). The program contains exercises for building strength, stability and coordination on the way to crawling on all fours. It can also be used in cases of motor delay.
Asymmetrical Belly Crawling
For babies with asymmetrical belly crawling, where one arm and the opposite leg do most of the work while the other leg hardly helps. The exercises in this program also work toward crawling on all fours, but with a special focus on strengthening the less active side and supporting more symmetrical strength on both sides of the body.

Walking

For the motor stage when your baby is practicing pulling up to stand using the furniture, walking sideways with support and eventually taking their first steps on their own.

Walking
For babies who already crawl on all fours and are on their way to standing and walking. The program can be used as play inspiration or in cases of motor delay and contains exercises that strengthen the legs, hips, core stability and balance. It is also relevant for children who move forward on their knees.
Tarzan Crawling and Bottom Scooting
For babies who crawl with one foot planted on the floor (Tarzan crawling) or move forward sitting on their bottom (bottom scooting), and who do not yet walk without support. The program contains walking exercises with a special focus on strengthening both sides of the body and the rotation muscles, so the body can become more symmetrically strong on the way to steady walking.

If you are unsure which program suits your baby best, you are always very welcome to send me an email at maria@develobaby.com.

Milestones from birth to 5 years

Month 1

The first month is mostly about arriving in the world, both for your baby and for the family. Your baby needs time and space to calmly get used to the effect of gravity on their body and to all the new sensory impressions from light, sounds, smells and touch. At the same time, the family needs peace and quiet to settle into their new daily life.

Most of your baby’s movements this month are still spontaneous and largely shaped by inborn reflexes. The movements can seem jerky and uncoordinated, but you can already see the first small beginnings of social contact and body control.

During the first month, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 1

Gross motor milestones

move their arms, legs and body in spontaneous and varied movements that often involve the whole body. The movements can be jerky and uncoordinated but gradually become smoother as the nervous system matures.
use both sides of their body and, overall, move their right and left arms and legs about equally.
often lie naturally curled up with arms and legs drawn in toward the body, and be easy to curl up.
lie with their head turned fully to the side when on their tummy, so their nose is clear.
try to lift their head briefly from the surface when on their tummy.
not yet be able to hold up their head by themselves when carried.
be able to turn their head freely to both sides when on their back, so the cheek rests on the surface.
seem stiffer or harder to bend into a curve to one side than to the other.
have clear primitive reflexes:
- The Moro reflex
  Stretches the arms out when startled.
- The sucking reflex
  Automatically starts sucking when a nipple, pacifier or finger touches the area around the palate and tongue.
- The rooting reflex
  Turns the head and opens the mouth toward a touch around the cheek and mouth.
- The stepping reflex
  Spontaneously takes small steps when the feet touch a surface.
- Asymmetric tonic neck reflex/ATNR (“fencing position”)
  Can sometimes be seen when the head is turned to the side: the arm on the side the face is turned to stretches out more, while the opposite arm bends.

Fine motor milestones

mostly keep their hands closed.
have strong grasp reflexes in both hands and feet.
now and then bring their hands up around their face or mouth and suck on them.

Senses, social contact and language

see best at a distance of 20–30 cm, about the distance to a face during breastfeeding or a bottle feed.
be especially interested in faces and clear patterns with strong contrasts.
start to briefly follow a face or a clear object with their eyes.
have eyes that cross now and then. This is normal in the first couple of months.
recognize familiar voices they heard in the womb.
react to sudden loud sounds, for example by blinking, startling or showing a Moro reflex.
find calm through skin-to-skin contact, being held close, being rocked gently and sucking.
have very short periods of calm, alert attention.
communicate mainly by crying.
make small, random, sweet “grunts” and soft vowel sounds.

Activity ideas

Skin-to-skin and tummy time
Tummy time can start right from the beginning. In the first weeks it can be, for example, on an adult’s chest, and gradually also for short periods on a firm surface while your baby is awake and supervised. Here your baby trains the muscles of the neck and body and gets experience in working up against gravity. A good little habit is to do tummy time after (some of) the day’s diaper changes, so it becomes a natural part of everyday life.
Room for free movement
Lay your baby on their back on a firm, safe surface every day, so their arms and legs can move freely. This gives your baby the chance to feel their body, practice spontaneous movements and gradually develop more body control.
Face-to-face time
Talking, quiet singing and facial expressions from a familiar, loving adult are the best entertainment for a newborn baby. Make sure the distance is no more than 20–30 cm.
Vary sides and positions
Vary which arm you carry your baby on, which side you talk and play from, and which way the head faces when your baby lies awake. When breastfeeding, you naturally switch between breasts, and with a bottle you can also vary the side. When your baby sleeps, they should still always be laid on their back.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

seems stiff, is hard to curl up or often arches their body backward “like a bow”.
uses one arm or one leg clearly less than the other side, or does the Moro reflex unevenly.
consistently holds their head tilted or almost always turns their head to the same side.
has a clearly lopsided or unusual head shape, especially if the lopsidedness does not gradually lessen or if it becomes more pronounced.
has ongoing difficulty latching on, sucking effectively or creating suction at the breast or bottle.
cries in a very high-pitched, shrill way, seems to be in pain or is unusually hard to wake.
does not react to loud sounds.
does not react to bright light or does not seem able to briefly focus on a face at close range at all.

Month 2

During month 2, your baby really starts to wake up to the world. The awake periods get longer, and the body gradually unfolds more from the curled-up position it had as a newborn. The first real smile often comes this month, and your baby slowly starts to get more control over their head and use their body more freely. The spontaneous movements gradually become smoother, and your baby becomes more interested in faces, voices and what is going on around them.

During month 2, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 2

Gross motor milestones

move their arms, legs and body in increasingly smooth and varied movements.
use both sides of their body and, overall, move their right and left arms and legs about equally.
gradually stretch out more as the curled-up position from the first month eases.
lift their head from the surface when on their tummy and briefly hold it up, often at about 45 degrees.
start to find support on their forearms when on their tummy. The arms are still placed a little under the upper body.
be able to turn their head freely to both sides when on their back and hold it in the middle only briefly.
kick their legs in varied ways when on their back, both alternating and with both legs at the same time.
still have the primitive reflexes from the newborn period, although some gradually start to fade. Among other things, the stepping reflex usually becomes less clear.

Fine motor milestones

start to open their hands more often and for longer at a time.
still have clear grasp reflexes and be able to hold on tight to an adult’s finger.
now and then bring their hands up around their face and mouth and suck on them.
start to have more contact between their hands and their surroundings, for example by brushing their clothes or the surface with their fingers.

Senses, contact and language

start to smile in response to faces, voices and smiles. The first social smile often comes at around 6–8 weeks.
hold eye contact for longer and still be especially interested in faces and clear contrasts.
start to follow a face or a toy with their eyes when it moves slowly from side to side.
seem happy or more alert.
start to make small, soft vowel sounds and other sounds besides crying.
start to respond to little “conversations” where an adult talks, pauses and leaves room for your baby’s own sounds and facial expressions.
often be able to calm down with a familiar voice, close body contact or by being picked up.

Activity ideas

Tummy time on the floor
Many short moments on the tummy throughout the day help strengthen the muscles of the neck, back, tummy and shoulders and prepare the body for the coming motor milestones. Tummy time can now take place more on a firm surface on the floor, ideally with an adult at eye level. If needed, help your baby place their arms in front of their body, so it is easier to find support on the forearms. Tummy time should always take place when your baby is awake and supervised.
Little conversations
Have little “conversations” with your baby, where you talk, smile and make funny faces. Take short pauses so your baby gets the chance to answer with a smile, a sound or a movement. Also try slowly sticking your tongue out and see if your baby reacts. These little conversations and the back-and-forth contact help support early social and language development.
Follow something with the eyes
Use a face or a toy with clear contrasts at a distance of about 20–30 cm. Move it slowly from one side to the other, and give your baby plenty of time to follow. When your baby follows both with their eyes and by turning their head, it stimulates the eyes and the neck to work together. Remember to let your baby look and turn their head to both sides.
Free movement on the floor
Give your baby plenty of time on their back on a firm, safe surface where their arms and legs can move completely freely. Here your baby can kick, stretch, move their arms and gradually get more control over their body. Vary between lying on the back, tummy time and different positions in your arms during awake windows.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

does not react to loud sounds or does not seem able to focus on or follow faces and objects at close range at all.
does not try to lift their head from the surface when on their tummy or has marked difficulties being on their tummy, even when the position is adjusted and practiced for short periods.
seems unusually floppy or stiff or generally moves very little.
often arches strongly backward “like a bow” or consistently bends their body to the same side in a clear “banana shape”.
uses one arm or one leg clearly less than the other side.
holds their head tilted or almost always turns their head to the same side, also when asleep.
is starting to develop a flat head, in the middle or on one side.
has a very shrill or unusual cry, seems to be in pain or is hard to comfort.

And remember to take care of yourself too!

It is important to seek help if, over a longer period, you feel overwhelmed or sad, or find it hard to find joy in everyday life. Becoming a mom or dad can be hard, even when your baby is developing completely normally. Maybe sleep is difficult, and maybe your baby constantly needs your time and energy.

Talk to your partner, a friend or someone else you trust about how you are doing. And do reach out to your health visitor or doctor, especially if the difficult feelings persist or grow stronger. Help is available, and you don’t have to face it alone. ❤️

Month 3

During month 3, your baby really starts to discover their hands and practices bringing them together in front of the body and up to the mouth. Head control gets better, and your baby gradually gets more strength and stability in their body. Contact also becomes livelier, with lots of smiles, little sounds and a growing desire to communicate and follow what is going on in the world around them.

During month 3, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 3

Gross motor milestones

be able to hold their head in the middle when on their back for longer at a time and turn it freely to both sides, so the cheek touches the surface.
briefly lift their head to about 60–90 degrees when on their tummy and turn it to both sides.
start to support themselves more actively on their forearms when on their tummy, with the elbows gradually coming further forward.
start to shift their weight a little from one forearm to the other when turning their head on their tummy.
be able to keep their pelvis and thighs down on the surface.
start to lift their legs briefly off the surface when on their back, as the tummy muscles get stronger.
be able to hold their head more steadily in an upright position for short periods, although it can still wobble and need a little support.
use both sides of their body about equally and move their arms and legs in increasingly varied and coordinated movements.
have gradually fading primitive reflexes. Among other things, the stepping reflex has often become very weak or is no longer clear.

Fine motor milestones

have their hands more open than before and increasingly be able to move their fingers freely.
start to bring their hands together in the middle in front of the body and explore them by letting them touch each other.
bring their hands to their mouth and suck on them.
start to reach their arms toward or swipe at toys hanging close to the body, although the movements are not yet very precise.
start to be able to hold on briefly to a light rattle placed in their hand.

Senses, contact and language

follow a face or toy with their eyes when it moves slowly to both sides.
start to discover their own hands and look at them with interest.
react to sounds and voices and start to look or turn their head toward them.
smile socially and hold eye contact for longer at a time.
respond to contact with their whole body, for example by kicking their legs, waving their arms and smiling.
coo more actively with soft vowel sounds like “aah” and “ooh” and start to answer with sounds.
respond to and start to imitate some of the facial expressions an adult uses in contact with them.

Activity ideas

Sideways carrying position
Try carrying your baby angled slightly to the side, with their back against your tummy and looking outward. When the body leans a little to the side, the muscles on the side of the neck and body have to work to keep the head in the middle. It is a good way to stimulate active head control and strengthen the body toward the coming motor milestones. Make sure to support your baby well around the body and, as needed, around the head, and remember to switch between the right and left side.
Play gym
This month your baby starts to become more interested in toys hanging in front of the body and will gradually try to swipe at them with their hands. Hang the toys a little low, around the level of the chest and hands, so your baby can make contact with them. This stimulates both hand-eye coordination and the ability to bring the arms forward and in front of the body.
Tummy time and active forearm support
Keep doing plenty of tummy time spread over the day. Try to do some tummy time in every awake window. Help your baby place their arms so it is easier to find support and lift the upper body, and with it the head, up against gravity. Use your own face or an exciting toy to motivate your baby to look up and turn their head to both sides. This helps strengthen the neck, back, shoulders and the stability around the body.
Gentle movement play
Try different gentle movement games when your baby is happy and awake. That could be, for example, gently rocking your baby from side to side, slowly turning around with your baby in your arms, or playing with different positions where your baby feels gravity acting on the body from new directions. Make sure to give good support to the head and neck, and always follow your baby’s signals. Movement play should feel nice and safe, and there should be room for little breaks along the way.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

does not smile in response to contact or only very rarely seeks eye contact.
does not follow faces or objects with their eyes at all.
does not react to sounds or familiar voices.
finds it hard to lift their head or find support on their forearms when on their tummy, or has ongoing major difficulties with tummy time despite adjustment and practice.
often lifts their pelvis and thighs markedly off the surface when on their tummy and finds it hard to find support on their forearms.
often arches strongly backward “like a bow” or consistently bends their body to the same side in a clear “banana shape”.
holds their head tilted or cannot turn their head freely to both sides.
is starting to develop a flat head on one side. This is easiest to see from above, where the back of the head may be flatter on one side and the ears may be shifted in relation to each other.
is starting to develop a flat head in the middle. It can be seen, for example, from the side, where the back of the head may be less rounded, and from above, where the head may look wider.
still has clenched hands most of the time and only rarely opens them.
uses one arm or one leg clearly less than the other side.
cries unusually much, often seems to be in pain or is hard to comfort.

Month 4

During month 4, your baby gets better head control in an upright position. The movements become more controlled and symmetrical, the hands meet in the middle in front of the body, and many babies start to practice rolling onto their side from their back. Contact also becomes more playful, and the first chuckles and little cooing conversations make your time together extra special.

During month 4, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 4

Gross motor milestones

hold their head steadily in an upright position without needing constant support.
start to tuck their chin slightly toward their chest to look down at themselves when on their back.
lift their head to about 90 degrees when on their tummy and keep it up for longer at a time.
actively support themselves on their forearms when on their tummy, with the elbows at about shoulder level or a little in front, so the head and the upper part of the chest lift off the surface.
start to shift their weight from one forearm to the other when on their tummy and experiment with bringing the free arm forward toward toys.
lift their legs off the surface when on their back and start to bring their hands down toward their thighs.
kick their legs strongly and in varied ways, both alternating and with both legs at the same time.
start to roll onto their side from their back, for example when something exciting catches their attention.
briefly be able to straighten their legs and have contact with the surface with their feet when held supported in an upright position.
move their body freely and in varied ways and, overall, use their right and left side about equally.

Fine motor milestones

have their hands open most of the time.
bring their hands together in the middle in front of the body and look at and play with their fingers.
start to bring their arms forward more purposefully toward toys and try to swipe at or grab them.
hold on to a toy placed in their hand and move it, for example by shaking a light rattle.
bring their hands to their mouth and start to explore toys with their mouth, lips and tongue.

Senses, contact and language

smile on their own to get contact and attention.
start to chuckle and laugh when something funny happens.
use their gaze, their movements and little sounds to get and keep attention.
have little “cooing conversations” and answer with sounds when someone talks. The sounds are still mainly soft vowel sounds like “aah”, “ooh” and “eh”, but can gradually include more varied sounds.
turn their head toward a familiar voice.
see colors and objects at a distance more clearly than before. Your baby can now also spot things further away in the room.
look at their hands with great interest and follow their movements with their eyes.
open their mouth expectantly at the sight of the breast or bottle.
start to explore different materials and surfaces more actively through touch and by bringing things to their mouth.
start to discover the connection between their own movements and what happens as a result, for example that a rattle makes a sound when it is moved.

Activity ideas

Rolling play
Lay your baby on their back on a slightly soft surface, for example a mattress on the floor. Help your baby roll onto their side by placing your hand on the side of the hip and slowly guiding the pelvis in the direction you want. Use your face or an exciting toy to draw your baby’s gaze slightly down to the side. The less help, the better. Take your time, so your baby gets the chance to activate the muscles themselves and take part in the movement. Remember to practice rolling to both sides.
Looking to the sides on the tummy
When your baby is on their tummy with support on their forearms, it is really good at this age to motivate them to turn their head past the midline, both to the right and to the left. Here, too, use your face or a toy that slowly moves out to first one side and then the other. Give your baby plenty of time to follow. When the head turns, the weight distribution between the arms changes, and the muscles around the shoulders and trunk have to work to stabilize the movement. This is an important beginning of the weight shifting your baby will later need to turn around on their tummy and move forward.
Playing with the hands
Lay your baby on their back under a play gym with toys hanging at tummy height, but close enough for the hands to reach them and make contact. Your baby will gradually start to swipe, reach out and try to grab. Use different light rattles and other things that are easy to hold and safe to explore with the mouth. This stimulates the interplay between vision, the sense of touch and the movements of the hands.
Gentle movement play
Play different gentle movement games when your baby is happy and awake. For example, dance slowly and calmly around with your baby in your arms, swing gently from side to side and back and forth, or play at tilting the body in different directions while holding your baby securely. The varied movements stimulate the sense of balance and give your baby new experiences of the body’s position and movement. Make sure to give good support around the body and, as needed, the head and neck, and always follow your baby’s signals. Movement play should feel nice and safe.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

does not smile, or does not yet make little cooing sounds.
cannot hold their head reasonably steady in an upright position.
finds it hard to lift their head and find support on their forearms when on their tummy, or has ongoing major difficulties with tummy time despite adjustment and practice.
often goes into the “skydiver position” on their tummy, where it seems involuntary and is hard for your baby to counteract. The skydiver position is when the arms and possibly the legs lift off the surface and your baby finds it hard to find support on their forearms.
rarely lifts or actively moves their legs when on their back.
does not bring their hands up to their mouth.
often arches strongly backward “like a bow” or consistently bends their body to the same side in a clear “banana shape”.
persistently keeps their head tilted in different positions or finds it hard to turn their head freely to both sides.
almost always turns their head to the same side during sleep and play.
is starting to develop a flat head on one side. This is easiest to see from above, where the back of the head may be flatter on one side and the ears may be shifted in relation to each other.
is starting to develop a flat head in the middle. It can be seen, for example, from the side, where the back of the head is less rounded, and from above, where the head may look wider.
uses one arm or one leg clearly less than the other side or seems markedly stiffer on one side of the body.
loses motor, social or communication skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

Month 5

During month 5, the body becomes stronger and more mobile, and many babies start to practice rolling from back to tummy. The hands now grasp more securely, your baby discovers their feet, and toys are explored with both hands and mouth. Your baby also interacts more actively with others, laughs out loud and shows great curiosity about what is going on around them.

During month 5, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 5

Gross motor milestones

support themselves securely on their forearms when on their tummy and start to push themselves higher by briefly straightening their arms and supporting themselves on their hands.
start to shift their weight onto one forearm when on their tummy, so the other arm is free to reach forward toward toys.
actively turn their head and upper body to both sides when on their tummy, when something exciting catches their attention.
roll from back to side and start to roll all the way over from back to tummy.
lift their legs high when on their back and grab their knees and lower legs. Some babies also start to get hold of their feet and bring them up toward their mouth.
hold their head steadily in an upright position, even when their body is moved gently.
be able to turn their head freely to both sides, even when sitting supported by an adult.
move their body in varied and symmetrical ways, with the first signs of rotation between the upper and lower body.

Fine motor milestones

reach for toys more purposefully and grab them with the whole hand.
hold toys with both hands and bring them to their mouth to explore them.
start to use both hands together on a toy and perhaps experiment with passing it from one hand to the other.
shake, bang and turn toys in their hands to explore them.
gradually become more precise in the interplay between vision and hand movements.

Senses, contact and language

make new and more varied sounds, for example high-pitched squeals, little shrieks and the first “raspberries” with their lips.
show joy, frustration and discomfort clearly through facial expressions, sounds and body movements.
react to familiar voices and stay attentive when someone talks.
turn their head toward sounds and voices.
follow objects with their eyes in different directions and discover more and more details in their surroundings.
start to distinguish more clearly between familiar and less familiar faces and perhaps need a little time to get used to new people.
show great curiosity about toys and other things that can be explored with hands and mouth.
laugh, smile and take an active part in little babbling conversations with an adult.

Activity ideas

Rolling play from back to tummy
Place your baby on their back on a comfortable surface that is not too hard. Then help your baby roll onto their side by guiding the pelvis very slowly in the direction you want. Use your face or an exciting toy to draw your baby’s gaze a little down to the side. The more interested your baby is in the toy, the more likely it is that they will manage to roll all the way over. When your baby is lying on their side, it is a good idea to pause your help for a moment, so your baby gets the chance to continue the movement themselves. The less help, the better. Take your time, so your baby gets the chance to activate the muscles themselves. Remember to practice on both sides.
Reaching for toys on the tummy
When your baby is lying on their tummy and supporting themselves on their forearms, you can place an exciting toy a little in front and out to one side. This motivates your baby to shift their weight onto the opposite forearm and reach out with the free hand.
Slow pressure massage
Try giving your baby slow, gentle and firm pressure with your hands around the arms, legs and body. This gives both the sense of touch and the sense of body position (proprioception) different sensory input that many babies love. The pressure massage can be done with or without clothes on. Adjust the strength of the pressure to your baby’s reactions and avoid pressure on the neck.
Get out into nature
Your baby is now starting to see further and take in more of the world around them, so do get outside and experience it together. Lying and looking up at leaves swaying in the wind, feeling the grass between their fingers or listening to the birds can be both wonderfully calming and very exciting at this age. For example, let your baby lie on a blanket on the ground, where there is room for both free movement and sensory experiences.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

does not use facial expressions, rarely smiles or laughs and does not make babbling sounds.
does not react to sounds or familiar voices.
does not yet show signs of wanting to turn their body onto their side or try to roll, especially if their movements also seem limited or happen only to one side.
finds it hard to hold their head steady against gravity, both on their tummy and in an upright position.
finds it hard to support themselves on their forearms when on their tummy or still has major difficulties with tummy time, even after it has been adapted and practiced.
does not reach for toys or clearly prefers using only one hand.
seems unusually passive, moves their arms and legs very little or rarely shows interest in exploring things and engaging with others.
seems very stiff or unusually soft and floppy.
often arches strongly backward “like a bow” or consistently bends their body to the same side in a clear “banana shape”.
persistently keeps their head tilted to one side.
cannot turn their head freely to both sides.
almost always turns their head to the same side, both during sleep and play.
is starting to develop a flat head on one side. This is easiest to see from above, where the back of the head may be flatter on one side and the ears may not line up with each other.
is starting to develop a flat head at the back, in the middle. It can be seen, for example, from the side, where the back of the head is less rounded, and from above, where the head may look wider.
uses one arm or one leg clearly less than the other side.
has lost motor or social skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

Month 6

During month 6, your baby becomes more active and curious about the world around them. The little hands now grab toys more securely, and everything gets turned, shaken and explored with the mouth. The body gets stronger, and many babies are now well on their way with rolling and may start to experiment with moving around a little on the floor.

During month 6, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 6

Gross motor milestones

roll from their back and from their tummy to both sides.
push up on straight arms with open hands when on their tummy, so the chest lifts clear of the surface.
shift their weight onto one arm when on their tummy and reach for toys with the other.
start to turn around on their tummy (pivoting) using their arms and legs.
start to experiment with moving across the floor, for example by rolling or pushing themselves a little backward on their tummy.
grab their feet when on their back and perhaps bring their toes up to their mouth.
start to practice keeping their balance sitting in a high chair.
hold their head steady and move it freely in different positions.

Fine motor milestones

reach purposefully for toys with one or both hands and grasp with the whole hand.
pass toys from one hand to the other to explore them.
hold toys in both hands and explore them by turning, twisting, shaking and banging them.
start to let go of toys more deliberately and discover what happens when they fall.
bring toys to their mouth and actively explore them with lips and tongue.

Senses, contact and language

recognize the people closest to them and clearly light up when they arrive.
lift their arms or move their body expectantly when they want to be picked up.
babble actively with more varied sounds like squeals, raspberries with the lips and the first consonant sounds like “ba”, “ma” and “da”.
take turns with an adult making sounds in little babbling conversations.
react to other people’s facial expressions and tone of voice and show different feelings themselves through facial expressions, sounds and body movements.
follow objects with their eyes in different directions and be interested in things further away.
recognize the difference between familiar and less familiar people and perhaps need a little time to get used to new people.
be interested in their own reflection in the mirror and smile or make sounds at it.
be curious about their surroundings and actively try to get hold of things.

Activity ideas

Floor play
The floor is the very best place to be at this age. Place exciting toys in different spots around your baby, so the body has to work a little to reach the next toy. Put some close by and others just out of reach, so your baby is motivated to roll, turn their body and shift their weight from one side to the other. Give your baby plenty of time to experiment with the movements, and help only as much as needed.
Turning around on the tummy
Place an exciting toy a little out to the side when your baby is lying on their tummy. This motivates your baby to turn their head, shift their weight onto one arm and try to turn their body toward the toy. Remember to play on both sides. The first little attempts to turn around on the tummy are important preparation for moving forward later.
Sensory play and songs
Let your baby explore different materials and surfaces, for example a soft washcloth, a cool spoon or baby toys with different textures. This gives new sensory experiences through the hands and mouth. Use songs and rhymes with actions that are repeated again and again. The familiar sounds, movements and little pauses along the way give your baby the chance to follow along, smile and babble along.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

does not yet show signs of being able to roll from back to tummy or only rolls over the same shoulder, especially if other movements also seem one-sided or limited.
does not lift their legs off the surface or try to grab their knees or feet when on their back.
does not practice pushing up on their arms when on their tummy.
cannot hold their head steady.
does not reach purposefully for toys or clearly prefers one hand.
rarely smiles, laughs or babbles and responds only to a limited extent to social contact.
does not react to sounds or familiar voices.
seems unusually passive, moves only a little or rarely shows curiosity about exploring their surroundings.
persistently keeps their head tilted, both on their tummy and in an upright position.
seems very stiff or often arches backward like a bow.
seems unusually “soft”, with weak muscles.
uses one arm or one leg clearly less than the other side.
has a flat head at the back, in the middle or on one side.
loses motor, social or communication skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

And remember to take care of yourself too!

Month 7

During month 7, the floor really becomes your baby’s playground. Your baby now starts to move around more by turning, rolling and pushing backward, and many also start to make their first little belly crawling movements forward. The hands become more and more active, and your baby is curious about everything that can be explored and played with.

During month 7, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 7

Gross motor milestones

roll between back and tummy and become more confident in the movement to both sides.
turn around on their tummy (pivoting) by shifting their weight from one arm to the other and using arms and legs to turn their body around.
move around on the floor by rolling, turning and pushing backward on their tummy.
start to belly crawl forward by pulling with their arms and pushing off with their legs. The first belly crawling movements can still be a little uncoordinated.
support themselves securely on straight arms when on their tummy.
start to lift their tummy off the surface and perhaps briefly get up on hands and knees.
sit more steadily in a high chair and no longer need support from cushions in the chair.

Fine motor milestones

reach purposefully for toys and grasp securely with one or both hands.
use their fingers more independently, for example by starting to rake smaller objects into their hand with a whole-hand grasp.
pass toys securely from one hand to the other.
start to let go of toys on purpose and discover what happens when they fall.
explore food with their fingers and bring soft, suitable pieces of food to their mouth themselves.
start to bang toys on the surface or hit two objects against each other.

Senses, contact and language

babble with different syllables like “ba”, “da” and “ma” and start to string them together in little chains like “bababa” and “dadada”.
vary pitch and volume, so the babbling gradually starts to sound more like real speech.
react to their name, for example by looking up or turning their head toward the person calling.
start to recognize a few words and phrases that are often used in the same everyday situations.
enjoy peekaboo and other repetitive games and start to show anticipation of what comes next.
look for things that fall down or disappear out of sight.
express different feelings through facial expressions, sounds and body language and react to other people’s facial expressions and tone of voice.
clearly recognize the people closest to them and perhaps start to be more reserved with strangers or react when a parent leaves.

Activity ideas

Belly crawling play
Try placing an exciting toy just out of your baby’s reach when they are on their tummy. This motivates your baby to reach forward, shift their weight from side to side and try to get closer to the toy. Give your baby plenty of time to work on the movement themselves, and let the toy come within reach after a while, so the game stays fun.
Turning around on the tummy
Place toys a little out to the side, so your baby wants to turn around on their tummy to reach them. When your baby shifts their weight onto one arm and uses the other to reach for the toy, the muscles in the shoulders, back and tummy work to stabilize and turn the body. Remember to practice on both sides. Pivoting is good preparation for belly crawling and crawling later on.
Peekaboo and hiding games
Peekaboo is a lovely game at this age. Hide your face behind your hands or a small scarf, and come out again with a smile. Also try partly hiding an exciting toy under a cloth, so your baby can try to find it. These games stimulate attention, anticipation and the early understanding that things and people still exist even when they are briefly out of sight.
Fingers in the food
Let your baby touch, squish and explore their food with both fingers and mouth. This gives lots of good sensory experiences and is also good practice for the movements of the hands and fingers. Let your baby try bringing soft, safe foods to their mouth themselves when their motor skills are ready for it. Make sure, of course, that the food has a texture and size that suit your baby’s development, and that your baby sits steadily and upright during the meal and is always supervised.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

rarely seeks or holds eye contact and responds only to a limited extent to social contact.
does not babble or does not react to sounds and familiar voices.
does not yet show signs of being able to roll between back and tummy or consistently only rolls over the same shoulder.
finds it hard to lift their upper body and support themselves on their arms when on their tummy.
does not start to experiment with turning their body and shifting their weight from side to side when on their tummy.
seems unusually passive, moves only a little or rarely shows curiosity about exploring toys and surroundings.
finds it hard to hold their head and upper body steady, even when sitting well supported.
still has clenched hands most of the time or almost always keeps their thumb tucked inside their hand.
clearly prefers one hand or uses one arm or one leg significantly less than the other side.
consistently uses their body very asymmetrically when trying to move, for example by pulling almost only with one arm or pushing almost only with one leg.
persistently keeps their head tilted or finds it hard to turn it freely to both sides.
has a flat head at the back, in the middle or on one side.
loses motor, social or communication skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

Month 8

During month 8, your baby really becomes mobile. Many babies now belly crawl forward, and more start to get up on hands and knees and rock back and forth in preparation for crawling. Your baby wants to be part of everything and loves little social games like pat-a-cake and peekaboo. At the same time, many babies start to react more clearly to the difference between familiar people and strangers and can get upset when mom or dad leaves.

During month 8, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 8

Gross motor milestones

roll securely between back and tummy and turn around on their tummy (pivoting) to both sides.
belly crawl forward using both arms and legs in a coordinated cross pattern.
start to belly crawl over small obstacles, for example an adult’s legs or a sofa cushion on the floor.
get up on hands and knees and start to rock back and forth. Some babies now also take their first crawling movements on all fours.
sit without support and be able to turn their upper body and reach out to the sides for toys. The best motor play, though, still happens moving on the floor.
start to practice getting into a sitting position by themselves from lying on their tummy or from the crawling position, and back again.
start to experiment with pulling themselves up to standing on an adult or a stable piece of furniture.
be able to take weight on their legs when held supported in a standing position.
become more active in changing positions and increasingly choose for themselves how their body should move.

Fine motor milestones

grasp toys securely with the whole hand and use the thumb and the other fingers more independently.
use their fingers to rake smaller objects into their hand in a whole-hand grasp.
pass toys securely from one hand to the other, even when busy with something else at the same time.
bang two objects together and explore what sounds they make.
let go of objects more deliberately and be interested in what happens when they fall.
start to use their thumb and index finger more precisely, as preparation for the actual pincer grasp.
bring suitable, soft pieces of food to their mouth themselves and get better at working the food with their tongue and jaws.

Senses, contact and language

enjoy social games like pat-a-cake, action songs and peekaboo and start to imitate some of the movements.
clearly recognize the people closest to them and perhaps be more reserved or shy with new people.
start to react when a parent leaves and at times show a special attachment to one particular adult.
babble in longer chains of syllables like “mamama”, “bababa” and “dadada”.
try to imitate sounds and vary both pitch and volume, so the babbling sounds more and more like real speech.
use sounds, facial expressions and movements to get attention and connect with others.
react to their name when someone calls.
start to understand a few familiar words and phrases often used in everyday life, for example “hi”, “food” and “no”.
start to take an interest in what an adult points at or shows.
follow objects with their eyes, also at a distance, and be very interested in people and things moving around the room.

Activity ideas

Miles of belly crawling
Belly crawling is the best exercise for the whole body right now. A little obstacle course of cushions, duvets and grown-up legs makes it fun to move forward and gives your baby the chance to practice climbing up and down. It is a good idea to let your baby play on their tummy on the floor and wait to sit them up for play until they can get into sitting by themselves.
Picture books
Small picture books with one picture on each page are perfect for looking at together. When the adult points at the pictures and says what they show, your baby learns both words and to follow a pointing finger.
Action songs and social games
Pat-a-cake, “The Wheels on the Bus” and other songs with actions make your baby want to imitate movements and sounds. Repetition is key, and babies rarely get bored, even the tenth time. Read to your baby. Use lots of words.
Miles of belly crawling (crawling)
Play music and dance
Hide things and find them
Tumble play

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

does not hold eye contact.
does not babble or does not react to their name and to sounds.
does not reach for things or does not show interest in moving forward.
seems passive and does not explore things with curiosity.
does not yet belly crawl.
belly crawls asymmetrically, especially if your baby has had a preferred side before.
cannot sit by themselves when placed in a sitting position.
does not take weight on their legs when held upright.
uses only one hand.
seems stiff or very soft and floppy.

Month 9

During month 9, your baby really starts to get around independently. Many babies now crawl on hands and knees, and more start to pull themselves up to stand on furniture. The fingers get more precise in their work, and your baby now babbles away in sweet little nonsense sentences. Everything gets explored and fiddled with, and your baby moves around everywhere in the home. So if you have not done it yet, it is time to look at childproofing your home.

During month 9, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 9

Gross motor milestones

crawl on hands and knees in a coordinated cross pattern, where the opposite arm and leg work together.
get from lying to sitting by themselves and move between sitting and the crawling position.
sit securely without support and turn their upper body to reach toys on both sides without losing their balance.
start to pull themselves up to stand on an adult or a stable piece of furniture.
be able to stand and carry their own weight on their legs while holding on with their hands. The ankles can still be soft and roll a little inward, and your baby may sometimes stand on tiptoe.
start to experiment with shifting their weight from one leg to the other when standing.
crawl over small obstacles and start to practice climbing onto low, stable raised surfaces such as a firm sofa cushion.
become more confident in changing positions independently and use their body actively to get to where something exciting is happening.

Fine motor milestones

start to pick up smaller objects using their thumb and index finger more precisely. The really fine pincer grasp with the fingertips is still developing.
use their fingers actively to pick up suitable pieces of food and bring them to their mouth themselves.
pass toys securely between their hands and use both hands in play and when eating.
start to experiment with putting things into a container and taking them out again.
bang two objects together and explore the different sounds they make.
let go of toys on purpose and be fascinated by what happens when they fall.

Senses, contact and language

babble in long chains of different syllables like “mamama”, “bababa” and “dadada” and vary both volume and pitch, so it sounds like little nonsense sentences.
react to their name by looking up or turning their head toward the person calling.
start to understand a few familiar everyday words and phrases and perhaps stop briefly when someone says “no”.
reach their arms up and “ask” to be picked up.
smile and laugh during familiar games.
search for a toy that is hidden and look for things that fall down and disappear out of sight.
show many different facial expressions, for example joy, anger, surprise and sadness.
be more reserved or unsure with strangers and perhaps get upset when a parent leaves.
start to imitate some of the sounds, facial expressions and movements other people make.
explore their surroundings with great curiosity and actively try to get hold of things that look exciting.

Activity ideas

Miles of crawling
Crawling on all fours is a fantastic way to strengthen the whole body. Shoulders, arms, back, tummy and hips work together while your baby practices coordinating the movements between the right and left side.
Make little obstacle courses with firm cushions, low mattresses and an adult’s legs for your baby to crawl over. This gives the chance to practice weight shifting, balance and strength in many different ways. Gradually your baby can also try crawling up onto a low, stable raised surface with an adult right next to them. Practicing getting safely down again is at least as important.
Sit on the floor with your baby, so playing becomes a cosy time for both of you. And give your baby plenty of room to crawl around in everyday life. It is through all the repeated movements that the body becomes stronger and more confident.
Little words and questions
When you describe what you are doing and what your baby is busy with, your baby gets lots of words to listen to. Put words to ordinary everyday things, and ask little questions like “Where is the ball?” or “Where is teddy?”. Point at the things you are talking about, and give your baby a little time to react.
Repetition is really good for early language understanding, and the adults usually get tired of repeating the same words long before the baby does.
Small things for small fingers
Soft pieces of fruit, cooked vegetables or suitable pieces of soft bread are really good for practicing the fingers’ more precise movements. At first your baby uses several fingers to pick up the food and gradually gets better at using thumb and index finger together.
The food should have a size and texture that suit your baby’s development, and soft foods should be easy to squash between two fingers. Avoid small, hard and round foods that can get stuck in the airways.
Fill and empty
Find a small container and some larger toys that your baby can easily hold. Show how the things can be put into the container and taken out again. At first your baby may be most interested in emptying it, but gradually putting things in becomes exciting too. Classic shape sorters work well here too. The game stimulates hand function, hand-eye coordination and an early understanding of how things fit together.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

does not yet belly crawl or crawl (and does not show clear progress either).
finds it hard to support themselves on their arms when on their tummy.
belly crawls or crawls asymmetrically, for example by consistently pulling forward with one arm or pushing off with one leg. Pay special attention if your baby has previously shown signs of a preferred side.
mainly moves forward by scooting along sitting on their bottom (bottom scooting), crawls with one foot planted on the floor (Tarzan crawling) or often crawls with straight legs (bear crawling).
cannot sit without support or finds it hard to keep their balance when sitting.
does not yet try to get into a sitting position by themselves or finds it hard to change between different positions on the floor.
does not take weight on their legs when held supported in an upright position.
consistently stands on tiptoe without being able to get their heels down, or clearly puts less weight on one leg than the other when standing.
does not reach purposefully for toys or clearly prefers using only one hand.
rarely seeks eye contact or responds only to a limited extent to social contact.
seems passive or rarely shows interest in exploring their surroundings.
loses motor, social or communication skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

Month 10

During month 10, your baby wants to crawl a whole lot and get up to stand. The feet and ankles are really challenged when they have to carry the body’s weight, and it takes time for balance and stability to develop. Your baby now understands more and more of what is said and starts to use both sounds and movements to communicate, for example by waving and clapping.

During month 10, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 10

Gross motor milestones

crawl securely and, in time, quickly on hands and knees with a coordinated cross pattern, where the opposite arm and leg work together.
easily get from lying on their tummy to sitting and on to the crawling position, and back again.
pull up to stand on furniture and stand while holding on with their hands.
start to practice walking sideways along furniture by shifting their weight from one leg to the other and perhaps taking small sideways steps.
stand with their feet a little apart and perhaps with the ankles rolling slightly inward. The feet and ankles are still developing strength and stability, and your baby may also still stand on tiptoe now and then.
start to get down from standing by themselves.
start to be able to let go with one hand when standing while the other holds on to furniture, for example to reach for a toy.
crawl over obstacles and up onto low raised surfaces.

Fine motor milestones

pick up smaller objects between thumb and index finger with increasing precision and be well on the way to developing the fine pincer grasp.
pick up suitable pieces of finger food and bring them securely to their mouth.
start to put things into a bowl or box and take them out again.
use both hands at the same time in play, for example by holding a container with one hand and exploring its contents with the other.
let go of objects more purposefully, for example by putting them down or dropping them into a container.
start to use their index finger more independently, for example to explore details on toys or to point at something exciting.

Senses, contact and language

start to wave, clap and imitate other simple movements, especially when they are repeated in games with the adults.
understand more familiar everyday words and phrases, for example “Time to eat?”, “Where is Daddy?” or “Come here”.
babble with many different syllables and tones of voice, so it sounds like little nonsense sentences.
imitate sounds, facial expressions and movements from the adults.
clearly recognize the people closest to them and perhaps still be reserved with strangers.
hold out toys to an adult and enjoy getting them back.
use sounds and movements to express their needs and try to get others to react.

Activity ideas

Walking sideways
When your baby is standing at a stable piece of furniture, you can place an exciting toy a little out to the side, so your baby wants to take a few steps to reach it. Give your baby plenty of time to shift their weight from one leg to the other, and help only as much as needed. Remember to encourage walking in both directions.
Obstacle course and miles of crawling
Crawling is still a fantastic way to strengthen the whole body, even though your baby has now started to pull up to stand. Shoulders, arms, back, tummy and hips work together while your baby constantly practices balance, weight shifting and coordination.
Make little obstacle courses of firm cushions, light mattresses and the like for your baby to crawl over, under and up onto. Vary the height and the distance between the obstacles, so your baby has to find different solutions with their body. Also let your baby practice getting down from low raised surfaces again. Of course, stay right next to them so the play is safe.
Songs, actions and social games
Songs with actions, pat-a-cake and peekaboo make your baby want to imitate movements and sounds. Show the movements slowly, and take little pauses so your baby gets the chance to join in.
It is also lovely to play little “back-and-forth games” with toys, where you take turns holding out an object and taking it. This stimulates hand function, social contact and the understanding of taking turns.
Music and tumbling games
Play music, and dance with your baby in your arms. The different movements give the sense of balance and body awareness important new experiences. Choose music with a steady rhythm and lots of repetition. Remember that babies have really good hearing and still have slightly immature sensory processing. So it is a good idea not to turn the music up too loud.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

does not yet belly crawl or crawl.
belly crawls or crawls asymmetrically, for example by consistently pulling forward with one arm or pushing off with one leg.
mainly moves forward sitting on their bottom (bottom scooting), crawls with one foot planted on the floor (Tarzan crawling) or with straight legs (bear crawling).
cannot sit independently without support or cannot yet get into a sitting position by themselves.
finds it hard to change between sitting, lying on their tummy and the crawling position.
cannot carry their weight on their legs.
consistently stands on tiptoe and cannot get their heels down, or puts clearly less weight on one leg than the other.
does not yet show interest in getting up to stand.
does not use both hands actively to grasp and explore toys or clearly prefers using only one hand.
does not react to their name or to familiar sounds and voices.
rarely seeks eye contact or responds only to a limited extent to social contact.
seems passive or rarely shows interest in exploring their surroundings.
loses motor, social or communication skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

Month 11

During month 11, your baby crawls, climbs and walks along the furniture. Many babies now practice standing for a short moment without holding on, and some may already take their first careful steps with an adult holding their hands. Your baby now understands more and more of what is said and uses gestures, sounds and perhaps the first words to tell you what they want.

During month 11, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 11

Gross motor milestones

crawl quickly and securely on hands and knees with a coordinated cross pattern. Crawling is still the preferred way to get around.
easily change between lying on their tummy, the crawling position and sitting.
pull up to stand on furniture by themselves and get down again with increasingly good control.
walk sideways along furniture and start to move between pieces of furniture that are close together.
start to walk forward with light support, for example when an adult holds their hands.
practice standing briefly without holding on and gradually find their balance for longer at a time.
start to be able to let go of furniture with both hands and perhaps keep their balance for a moment.
climb up onto and over different obstacles like sofa cushions, low furniture or a few stairs.

Fine motor milestones

pick up small objects with an increasingly precise pincer grasp between thumb and index finger.
put objects into a bowl or box and take them out again.
use both hands together in play, for example by holding a container with one hand and putting things into it with the other.
hold a block in each hand and bang them together or experiment with putting one on top of the other.
start to use their index finger more independently to point at or explore small details.
try to eat with a spoon, even though it is still hard to control and fingers are often the easiest.
practice drinking from a cup.

Senses, contact and language

wave, clap and reach their arms up to be picked up.
start to point at things they want to get hold of or that look exciting.
understand more familiar words and short sentences, especially when they are used in familiar situations or come with gestures.
babble in long chains of different syllables with varied pitch and rhythm, so it sounds more and more like real speech.
start to use their first meaningful words, for example “no” or other little words they link to particular people or things.
imitate sounds and movements from the adults and perhaps start to try out a few animal sounds.
hold out toys to an adult and enjoy getting them back in little give-and-take games.
start to show or hold out things to get an adult to look at them.
be very curious and explore their surroundings by opening, closing, taking things out, putting things in and trying out new actions.
be clearly attached to the people closest to them and perhaps react with crying or protest when a parent leaves.

Activity ideas

Little steps between the furniture
Place sturdy furniture with small gaps in between, so your baby can practice letting go of one piece of furniture and taking hold of the next. An exciting toy on each piece can make your baby want to pull up to stand, walk sideways and move on. Start with very short distances, where your baby can reach both pieces at the same time, and gradually increase the distance as their balance improves. It is a good idea to let your baby practice this barefoot.
Miles of crawling and climbing
Even though your baby now wants to stand up, crawling on all fours is still a really good way to use and strengthen the whole body. Shoulders, arms, back, tummy and hips work together while your baby constantly adjusts their balance and coordinates their movements.
Build obstacle courses from firm cushions or light mattresses for your baby to crawl over, under and onto. It is also exciting to practice crawling up onto low platforms and figuring out how to get safely down again.
Shape sorters and stacking toys
Blocks, cups and simple containers are really good for stimulating hand function and their early understanding of how things fit together.
Show your baby how a toy can be put into a container and taken out again, or how two blocks can be stacked on top of each other. At first, emptying the container or knocking the tower over is often the most fun, and that is perfectly fine. It is part of the play and the learning, too.
What does the animal say?
Look at little picture books with animals together, and tell your baby what the animals are called and what sounds they make. Ask, for example, “What does the cow say?” and answer yourself with a fun “Moooo!”. Give your baby time to try to copy the sound, point or respond with a smile. When the same words and sounds are repeated again and again, your baby gradually learns to connect them with the pictures and the animals.
Little games with words, sounds and gestures are really good for early language development.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

does not yet belly crawl or crawl.
belly crawls or crawls asymmetrically, for example by consistently pulling forward with one arm or pushing off with one leg.
mainly gets around by bottom scooting, Tarzan crawling or bear crawling.
has limited variety of movement or finds it hard to change between different positions.
cannot sit independently without support or cannot yet get into a sitting position by themselves.
finds it hard to change between sitting, lying on their tummy and the crawling position.
does not try to pull up to stand on furniture or get into a standing position in some other way.
puts less weight on one leg than on the other.
does not actively use both hands to grasp and explore things, or clearly prefers using only one hand.
does not react to their name or to familiar sounds and voices.
rarely seeks eye contact or responds only to a limited extent to social contact.
seems passive or rarely takes the initiative to explore their surroundings.
loses motor, social or communication skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

Month 12

During month 12, your baby celebrates their first birthday. The little newborn who could barely lift their head now crawls, climbs and walks along the furniture, and some now take their first steps as well. Others need a few more months, and that is completely normal. As long as your baby is active, develops new motor skills and becomes more and more confident in the upright positions, there is no reason to worry that the first independent steps are taking their time.

During month 12, an average baby will typically…

BABY
MILESTONES

in month 12

Gross motor milestones

pull up to stand on furniture by themselves, walk sideways along it and move between pieces of furniture that are close together.
stand on their own without holding on, at first often for only a few seconds at a time.
maybe (!) start taking their first independent steps, often with their feet wide apart and their arms raised to help with balance. It is just as common for the first steps to come a little later.
walk forward with light support, for example when an adult holds their hands at about the child’s chest height.
sit down on the floor from standing in a controlled way.
crawl quickly and confidently on hands and knees and crawl over obstacles and up steps.
sit steadily without support and get from lying or the crawling position to sitting and back again on their own.
move confidently between different positions and use both crawling and upright movement to get around.

Fine motor milestones

pick up small things with a precise pincer grasp between thumb and index finger, with both hands.
take a toy in each hand and bang them together.
feed themselves with their fingers and drink from a cup.

Senses, contact and language

respond to their name by looking up or turning toward the person calling.
start using words like “mama”, “dada” or other special names for the people they belong to, and maybe say a few other meaningful words.
understand many familiar words and simple instructions, especially when they are used in familiar situations.
understand a “no”, for example by stopping for a moment or responding to the adult’s tone of voice.
use gestures like waving, clapping and reaching up with their arms, and start pointing to show what they want.
copy sounds, facial expressions and actions from the adults.
look for things that are partly hidden and start to understand that they still exist, even when they cannot be seen.
give and take toys in little games with an adult and start to understand how to take turns.
use their closest people as a safe base and move a little away to explore familiar surroundings, but often come back for contact and reassurance.
follow objects moving around the room with their eyes and coordinate vision and hand movements more and more precisely.

Activity ideas

No rush to walk
Crawling on all fours is still really good training for the whole body, even when your baby starts to walk. Shoulders, arms, back, tummy and hips work together while your baby practices balance, weight shifting and coordination. There is no reason to be in a hurry for your baby to start walking yet. Give your baby plenty of opportunity to crawl, pull up to stand and walk along the furniture on their own. A baby walker that your baby pushes in front of them is not necessary at this motor stage.
From crawling to standing and back again
Place some exciting toys on sturdy furniture at different heights, so your baby wants to crawl over, pull up to stand, walk sideways and sit down again. This could be a low coffee table and a sturdy chair with toys on the seat, for example. That way, your baby gets to practice lots of different changes of position in a single game.
Pretend play
A toy telephone, a teddy that needs feeding or a doll that needs tucking in are lovely ways to introduce the first little pretend games. Show how it is done, and let your baby try to copy you. At first, exploring the things and watching what the adult does may be the most exciting part.
Picture books
Look at picture books together as well. Point at the pictures and say, in everyday words, what you see. Use the same books again and again. Repetition is really good for early language understanding.
Rolling a ball
Sit facing each other on the floor with a soft ball and roll it back and forth. At first, your baby may need a little help to push the ball in the right direction. It is a lovely way to practice hand-eye coordination and to start understanding how to take turns in a game.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your baby

is not yet crawling.
crawls asymmetrically, for example by consistently pulling forward with one arm or pushing off with one leg.
mainly gets around by bottom scooting, Tarzan crawling or bear crawling.
has limited variety of movement or finds it hard to change between different positions.
cannot sit independently without support or cannot yet get into a sitting position by themselves.
cannot pull up to stand on furniture or stand with support.
consistently stands on their toes and cannot get their heels down onto the surface, or clearly puts less weight on one leg than on the other.
does not actively use both hands, or clearly prefers using only one hand.
has not yet developed an early pincer grasp with thumb and index finger.
does not babble with different syllables, rarely copies sounds or uses facial expressions only to a limited extent in contact with others.
does not yet use communicative gestures, for example waving, reaching up to be picked up or holding out a toy to an adult.
does not react to their name or to familiar sounds and voices.
rarely seeks eye contact or responds only to a limited extent to social contact.
seems passive, rarely takes the initiative to play or explores their surroundings only to a limited extent.
loses motor, social or communication skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

15 months

At 15 months, most children walk on their own. Their walking is still a little wobbly, their legs are a little apart, their arms are often held high to help with balance, and there are quite a few falls along the way. Some children still only walk along the furniture.
At the same time, big things are happening with language and with interaction with others. Your child understands much more than they can say, points to tell you what they want, and loves copying the adults and other children.

At 15 months, an average child will typically…

TODDLER
MILESTONES

at 15 months

Gross motor milestones

walk on their own with their legs slightly apart and their arms raised to help with balance.
start getting up from the floor without holding on to anything, for example by pushing with their hands on the floor and lifting their bottom first.
start bending their knees and squatting to pick up toys from the floor, and maybe stand up again without support.
push or pull a toy behind them while walking.
crawl confidently up stairs and maybe start walking up a few steps while an adult holds their hand.
climb up onto the sofa or other low furniture and start practicing getting safely down again.
walk on different surfaces and gradually get better at keeping their balance when the surface changes and when stepping over small door thresholds.
often still crawl when they need to move fast or get over obstacles.

Fine motor milestones

stack blocks on top of each other.
pick up small things with a precise pincer grasp between thumb and index finger.
put objects into containers and start getting them into the holes of a shape sorter.
turn the pages of a picture book, often several pages at a time.
feed themselves with their fingers or a spoon.
start being able to make little scribbles on paper with a chunky crayon.

Senses, contact and language

say a few recognizable words besides “mama” and “dada”, for example “ba” for ball or “woof” for dog. The words do not need to be pronounced correctly yet.
understand many more words than they can say, and look at familiar things when they are named.
understand simple instructions, especially when gestures are used too, for example handing over a toy when an adult holds out a hand and says: “Can I have the ball?”
point to ask for something or to get help.
copy other children and adults in play.
start using things the way they are meant to be used, for example holding a toy phone to their ear or turning the pages of a book.
show love with hugs, kisses or by snuggling up to their closest people, and maybe hug their teddies.
clap with joy and excitement.
hold things out to an adult to show them or to invite them to play.

Activity ideas

Go exploring
Bare feet on grass, rugs, sand, tiles, a rough doormat or a mattress give the feet lots of different sensory input and challenge the balance, because the surface keeps changing. It is really good training for the muscles of the feet and ankles and for your child’s ability to adapt their walking to their surroundings.
Up and down from the floor
Place exciting toys on the floor and on low, sturdy furniture, so your child wants to switch between standing, squatting to pick something up and standing up again. When your child picks something up from the floor, the leg muscles have to work to control the movement while the balance is challenged at the same time. It is a really good way to strengthen legs, hips and ankles.
Where’s teddy?
Little questions like “Where’s teddy?” or “Can you give me the shoe?” give your child the chance to show how much they already understand. When your child uses their own little words, you can repeat them and build on them. If your child says “woof”, for example, you can answer: “Yes, woof! That’s a big dog!” That way, your child gets more words and sounds to listen to, while experiencing that they can use language to communicate with others.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your child

is not yet taking any independent steps, especially if there is limited progress in standing balance and in walking with support.
does not pull up to stand on furniture or cannot walk sideways along it.
walks or crawls asymmetrically, limps or uses one arm or one leg much less than the other side.
consistently walks on their toes and cannot get their heels down onto the floor.
clearly prefers one hand and hardly uses the other.
does not understand simple, familiar instructions.
does not respond to their name or only rarely seeks eye contact and responds to social contact.
shows no interest in playing with adults or copying others in play.
reacts very strongly to certain sounds, touch, clothes or other sensory input, or has a very strong need for certain kinds of sensory stimulation, so that it affects the child’s well-being or participation in everyday life.
has lost motor, language or social skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

18 months

At 18 months, your child walks confidently and is busy practicing walking faster, and maybe even running a little. Your child climbs on everything, carries things around and wants to do more and more on their own. Language is developing too, and your child understands lots of little instructions. Your child likes to go exploring a little away from the adults, but often looks back to make sure they are still there. This is also the age when the occasional big emotional outburst and lots of “no”s may begin. Your child has a strong will, but does not yet always have the words or the ability to regulate big feelings.

At 18 months, an average child will typically…

TODDLER
MILESTONES

at 18 months

Gross motor milestones

walk confidently on their own while carrying a toy.
start speeding up and maybe run with short, slightly stiff steps, where their balance is not yet quite steady.
squat to play or to pick something up from the floor and stand up again without holding on.
climb onto and down from the sofa or a low chair without help.
walk up stairs while an adult holds their hand, typically with both feet on the same step before going on to the next.
crawl backward down stairs or off a sofa.
start being able to walk backward, for example when pulling a toy along.
throw a ball and start trying to kick a ball.
get better at keeping their balance on uneven surfaces and at walking with small changes of direction.

Fine motor milestones

scribble with a chunky crayon.
stack blocks on top of each other into a tower.
help with dressing and undressing and start taking off things like socks or a hat by themselves.
master the pincer grasp with both hands.

Senses, contact and language

say more recognizable words and keep learning new ones. The words do not need to be pronounced correctly yet.
understand far more words than they can say, and follow instructions, for example “Give me the ball”.
start being able to point to familiar body parts like nose, mouth or tummy.
point to show the adults something exciting and try to get them to look at the same thing.
look at a book together with an adult and point at the pictures.
copy the adults in everyday life, for example by sweeping, wiping the table or talking on the phone.
play simple pretend games, for example driving a car, tucking in a doll or pretending to feed a teddy.
help with dressing and undressing, for example by putting their arm into the sleeve or lifting their foot when the shoe goes on.
go exploring a little away from the adults, but look back or seek contact to make sure they are still there.
become more interested in what other children are doing and try to copy some of their actions.
show more and more of their own will and start reacting with frustration or big feelings when something does not work out or does not go their way.

Activity ideas

Balls and playgrounds
Rolling, throwing and kicking a big ball is really good training for balance, coordination and getting the eyes and body to work together. Try rolling the ball back and forth, throwing it with both hands and kicking it while it lies still on the ground.
The playground is also a lovely place to be at this age. Swings, slides, low climbing frames and different surfaces give your child lots of opportunities to use their body and gain new experiences with balance, gravity and body control.
Tumbling and exploring
Set up little obstacle courses at home with mattresses, firm cushions and other low obstacles for your child to walk, crawl and climb over. This gives a chance to practice strength, balance and coordination, while the sense of balance and body awareness are stimulated at the same time.
Also play games where you spin around, swing, dance and move your bodies in different ways.
Little helper
Let your child join in with small practical tasks in everyday life. This could be putting laundry into the washing machine, wiping the table, fetching their shoes or putting toys back in their room. It gives your child a lovely sense of being able to contribute and be part of what the adults are doing. At the same time, they practice hand function, balance, coordination and the ability to plan and carry out small actions. When you put words to what your child is doing, they also get lots of new words and concepts to listen to.
Nose, mouth and eyes
Point to the nose, mouth, eyes, tummy, hands and feet, and give your child the chance to try it themselves. Maybe sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” as well, which most children love at this age. It is a nice, simple game that helps your child learn the names of the different parts of the body. The game supports language understanding, body awareness and the ability to copy others.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your child

is not yet walking independently without support. According to professional recommendations, a child who is not yet walking at 18 months should be examined more closely and get relevant support, for example physical therapy. Only very rarely does this mean that something worrying is wrong, but it is still good to have it assessed and to support the development, even though the cause is very likely completely harmless.
consistently walks on their toes and cannot get their heels down onto the floor.
limps, walks asymmetrically or uses one arm or one leg much less than the other side.
falls unusually often or has marked balance difficulties that do not seem to fit their experience of walking.
clearly prefers one hand and hardly uses the other.
only rarely tries to communicate with sounds and words.
does not understand simple, familiar instructions, even when you have their attention and the surroundings are calm.
does not point to show others something exciting, or very rarely tries to share their attention with others.
does not respond to their name or only rarely seeks eye contact and responds to social contact.
copies others only to a very limited extent or shows little interest in joining in simple games and everyday activities.
repeats certain movements or actions over and over in the same way, for example spinning around or lining objects up in a row, and at the same time has limited variety in their play or finds it hard to interact with others.
reacts very strongly to sounds, touch, clothes, food or other sensory input, so that it affects the child’s well-being or participation in everyday life.
has a strong need for certain kinds of sensory stimulation that is hard to meet and causes challenges in everyday life.
has lost motor, language or social skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

2 years

Around their second birthday, your child can run, climb and kick balls, and their body becomes more and more confident in movement. Language takes off, and the first little sentences arrive, so your child can now tell you much more about what they want and what they are thinking. Play becomes more imaginative, and your child loves copying the adults. A strong will and big feelings often play a big part at this age, because your child wants to do things themselves and does not yet always have the words or the ability to handle frustration.

At 2 years, an average child will typically…

TODDLER
MILESTONES

at 2 years

Gross motor milestones

run with better and better balance and start being able to stop and change direction without falling.
kick a ball and throw a ball with both hands.
walk up and down stairs while holding the handrail or an adult’s hand, typically with both feet on the same step before going on.
climb onto and down from furniture and love playing on small climbing frames and slides at the playground.
squat to play or to pick something up from the floor and stand up again without support.
start jumping with both feet, so that both feet briefly leave the ground at the same time.
walk backward and sideways and start becoming more confident on uneven and changing surfaces.
walk and run while carrying toys.

Fine motor milestones

feed themselves and drink from a cup with more and more confidence.
scribble and start copying a simple line drawn by an adult.
build a tower of blocks and knock it down again.
hold something in one hand and use the other at the same time, for example holding a box and taking off the lid.
turn handles and press buttons on toys.
do simple puzzles with a few large pieces and clear shapes.
turn the pages of a book, gradually more precisely and often one page at a time.
start preferring one hand for some fine motor tasks, but still use both hands actively and together in play.

Senses, contact and language

put two or more words together into little sentences, for example “more milk”, “dada gone” or “mama come here”.
have a growing vocabulary and use language more actively to say what they want, experience and think.
point to at least two body parts when someone asks, and to familiar pictures in a book, for example when an adult asks: “Where’s teddy?”
use several different gestures, for example blowing a kiss, nodding for “yes” or shaking their head for “no”.
play little pretend games, for example feeding a doll or cooking in the toy kitchen.
combine several things in one game, for example putting toy food on a plate and serving it to a teddy.
play alongside other children, watch with interest what they are doing and start copying them.
notice when others are sad or have hurt themselves, and maybe try to comfort them.
look at the adults’ faces to work out how to react in new or unfamiliar situations.
want to do lots of things themselves and get frustrated when something does not work out, or when the adults decide something else.
start being a little more skeptical of new food, certain textures or foods they used to like eating. This is common in the toddler years.
become more independent in everyday activities, for example by helping with dressing, trying to wash their hands and taking part in small practical tasks.

Activity ideas

Jump and run
Set up little movement courses with firm sofa cushions on the floor, low obstacles and plenty of room to run, stop and change direction. A simple game of tag, or a game where your child runs to something specific and back again, is really good for practicing balance and coordination.
Jumping games are fun at this age too. Show how to jump down from a small step with both feet at the same time, and let your child try to copy you. At first, the feet may not leave the ground at all, but gradually your child gets better at coordinating both take-off and landing.
Outdoor play
A playground, a lawn, a long path or a forest floor on its own offers lots of opportunities to explore and practice varied movement.
Often you do not need to plan anything when you go outside. Outdoors, your child will find plenty to be inspired by and try out. Help only as much as is needed, but stay close when your child climbs or plays up high. This gives your child the chance to find their own solutions and learn what their body can do.
Pretend play
Join in when your child pretends or acts out little everyday situations in their play, and let your child decide what happens. Maybe the teddy needs feeding, or maybe the car needs to go to the garage. When the adults join in the play and put words to the actions, your child gets lots of opportunities to develop language, imagination and social interaction.
Sensory play with the hands
Sand, water, play dough and food they are allowed to squish and squeeze give the hands lots of different sensory input and plenty of opportunity to practice fine motor skills.
For children who are skeptical of new food or certain textures, it can be a particularly good idea to let them explore the food through play and touch, without necessarily expecting them to eat it.
Some children love getting their fingers into everything, while others need a little longer to get used to new materials. Let your child explore at their own pace, and do not push if something feels unpleasant.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your child

is not yet running, or has great difficulty walking fast, stopping and changing direction.
falls or trips unusually often for their experience of walking.
finds it hard to keep their balance.
consistently walks on their toes and cannot get their heels down onto the floor.
limps, walks clearly asymmetrically or uses one arm or one leg much less than the other side.
finds it hard to walk up single steps, even with support, or to climb onto low furniture.
seems very stiff or unusually floppy in their body.
has clear difficulties coordinating their movements.
hardly uses one hand or has clear difficulties using both hands together.
does not understand simple, familiar instructions or cannot point out familiar things when someone asks.
copies actions and sounds only to a very limited extent or does not start playing simple pretend games.
does not point to show others something exciting, does not respond to their name or only rarely seeks eye contact and shares attention with others.
rarely tries to involve others in their experiences or responds to social contact only to a very limited extent.
repeats certain movements or actions over and over in the same way, and at the same time has limited variety in their play or difficulties interacting with others.
reacts very strongly to sounds, touch, clothes, food or other sensory input, so that it affects the child’s well-being or participation in everyday life.
eats a very limited range of foods, has marked discomfort with certain textures or significant eating difficulties that affect mealtimes, well-being or the chance of a varied, healthy diet.
has lost motor, language or social skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

2.5 years

At 2.5 years, your child jumps and runs, and their balance gets better every month. Language now develops quickly, and your child starts telling little stories, asking questions and talking about themselves as “I” and “me”. Play becomes more imaginative, and your child slowly starts playing together with other children.

At 2.5 years, an average child will typically…

TODDLER
MILESTONES

at 2.5 years

Gross motor milestones

jump with both feet off the ground, both on the spot and down from a low step.
run confidently, change direction and stop without losing their balance.
walk up and down stairs with support from a handrail or an adult, and start putting one foot on each step on the way up.
kick a ball forward and throw a ball overhand.
walk on their toes on purpose.
walk backward and sideways with better and better balance.
start being able to balance on narrow or uneven surfaces, for example a low curb, perhaps with support from an adult.

Fine motor milestones

use their hands to turn things, for example opening doors with handles and screwing lids on and off.
turn the pages of a book one at a time.
draw vertical and horizontal lines and round scribbles, and copy simple lines drawn by an adult.
take off some clothes themselves, for example loose pants, socks or an open jacket.
use both hands together in more advanced activities, where one hand holds something still while the other works.

Senses, contact and language

have a vocabulary of around 50 words or more and put two or three words together into little sentences, ideally with verbs, for example “doggy run” or “mama come here”.
start using words like “I”, “me” and “we”.
name familiar things in a book when an adult points and asks: “What’s that?”
know at least one color, for example being able to point to something red when an adult asks for the color red.
more and more often start playing together with other children.
show the adults what they can do, and maybe say “Look at me!”
follow simple everyday routines, for example helping to tidy up.
find simple solutions to problems, for example standing on a stool to reach something or moving an object that is in the way.

Activity ideas

Balance games
Balancing on a curb, a rope on the floor or a log in the woods is really good training for balance and body control.
A balance bike can also be a fun way to practice dynamic balance and coordination.
Arts and crafts
At this age, your child can start practicing rolling balls and little “snakes” of play dough, pressing them flat and pulling them apart. Stickers that have to be peeled off and stuck onto paper are also a fun challenge for the fingers.
Make-believe and playing together
Your child now increasingly starts using their imagination to pretend that an object is something other than what it is. For example, that a cardboard box becomes a car, or that a stool in the middle of the living room floor is a ship. It is also a good age to invite another child into the play, so they get the chance to copy each other, swap toys and slowly start playing together. It is completely normal for children to still play a lot alongside each other.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your child

finds it hard to run, stop and change direction.
falls, trips or hurts themselves unusually often compared with children their age, or has other balance difficulties.
consistently walks on their toes and cannot get their heels down onto the floor.
limps, walks asymmetrically or uses one arm or one leg much less than the other side.
finds it hard to use their hands for ordinary activities.
still says only very few recognizable words or does not yet put two words together.
rarely seeks contact with others, does not try to share experiences with adults, or shows interest in interaction and play with others only to a very limited extent.
repeats certain movements or actions over and over in the same way, and at the same time has limited variety in their play or difficulties interacting with others.
reacts very strongly to sounds, touch, clothes, food or other sensory input, so that it affects the child’s well-being or participation in everyday life.
has lost motor, language or social skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

3 years

At 3 years, your child’s body moves confidently and quickly, and your child can now do many of the things it takes to keep up on the preschool playground, such as running, jumping, climbing and riding a bike. Language has taken a huge leap, and most children can hold little conversations, ask questions and talk about what they experience. Playing with other children becomes more important, and your child increasingly starts playing together with others and not only alongside them.

For many children, this is also an age with lots of new things to take in, and it is here that sensory differences between children often become more noticeable in everyday life.

At 3 years, an average child will typically…

CHILD
MILESTONES

at 3 years

Gross motor milestones

run confidently, stop and change direction with good balance.
walk up stairs with one foot on each step and start doing the same on the way down. Going down the stairs, many children still use both feet on each step.
jump forward with their feet together and jump down from a low step with both feet.
stand on one leg without support for a brief moment.
ride a balance bike confidently, if they have practiced.
climb confidently on climbing frames and other obstacles at the playground.
catch a slightly larger ball with both hands.
throw a ball overhand and kick a ball with aim.

Fine motor milestones

thread large beads onto a string.
feed themselves with a fork and spoon.
put on some clothes themselves, for example loose pants or a jacket, and help actively with the rest of dressing.
start practicing cutting small pieces of paper with child-safe scissors, even though cutting precisely along a line is still hard.
use both hands together in activities where one hand holds something still while the other works, for example when drawing, cutting or opening containers.
use their fingers more precisely to handle small objects, turn things and do simple puzzles.

Senses, contact and language

have little conversations with several turns, where the child and the adult take turns to say something.
speak in longer sentences and start talking about little experiences from their everyday life.
ask questions with words like “who”, “what”, “where” and “why”.
say what is happening in a picture, for example “the boy is eating” or “the dog is running”.
say their first name when someone asks.
speak so clearly that people other than their closest family can usually understand what they say.
notice other children, seek them out and start joining in shared games.
use their imagination in pretend play, for example playing house, shop or doctor.
start being able to wait briefly for their turn and follow simple shared rules when playing with other children.
understand and respond to simple warnings, for example not touching a hot stove when an adult warns them about it.
show lots of different feelings and start putting words to them, for example “I’m mad” or “I got sad”.
start to understand that other people can feel something different from what they feel themselves, and maybe try to comfort or help when someone gets sad.

Ideas for play

Throw and catch
Play at throwing and catching a large, soft ball. Start close to each other, so your child has a good chance of catching the ball with their hands, arms and body.
Balance games
Stand on one leg, walk on tiptoe or balance on a rope lying on the floor. Simple movement games like these are really good for challenging the body’s balance, strength and coordination. Vary the game, so there is a chance both to practice something your child has already mastered and to try something a little harder.
Calming down after a long day
Many children have used a lot of energy at preschool and need to recharge when they get home. Some children benefit from using their body actively to settle down, while others need calm surroundings and less stimulation.
Make-believe and little conversations
Play shop, doctor, restaurant or family with dolls, teddies and other toys, for example. Your child can now start taking part in little shared stories, where you take turns making up what happens next.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your child

falls, trips or hurts themselves unusually often compared with children their age, or has clear difficulties with balance.
cannot yet jump with both feet off the floor, or finds it hard to run, climb or walk on stairs.
consistently walks on their toes and cannot get their heels down onto the floor.
limps, walks asymmetrically or uses one arm or one leg much less than the other side.
finds it hard to use their hands for ordinary activities, for example drawing, handling cutlery, building with blocks or helping with their own dressing and undressing.
does not yet speak in little sentences or has a very limited vocabulary.
only rarely seeks eye contact, responds to their name or takes part in two-way communication.
repeats certain movements or actions over and over in the same way, and at the same time has limited variety in their play or difficulties in interaction with others.
reacts very strongly to sounds, touch, clothes, food or other sensory input, so that it affects the child’s well-being or participation in everyday life.
has lost motor, language or social skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

4 years

At 4 years, your child’s body can now do more advanced things like hopping on one foot and catching a ball, and many children love testing their body’s limits. Your child’s language is now so good that they can tell you about their day, remember songs and rhymes and explain what different objects are used for. Your child now plays with other children and practices taking turns deciding what the game should be about.

At 4 years, an average child will typically…

CHILD
MILESTONES

at 4 years

Gross motor milestones

stand on one leg for several seconds and start being able to hop a few steps on one foot.
catch a large ball and adjust their body to the ball’s movement.
throw a ball overhand in a particular direction with better and better accuracy.
jump forward and over small obstacles with their feet together and land with good balance.
climb confidently up ladders and climbing frames at the playground.
ride a balance bike confidently and maybe start riding a two-wheeled bike with pedals, if they have had the chance to practice.
walk along a line or a narrow edge with good balance.
swing on their own, using their legs and body movements to build up speed.
run fast, stop and change direction without losing their balance.
walk up and down stairs with alternating right and left feet and without needing support from an adult.

Fine motor milestones

start being able to hold a marker or pencil between their fingers in a more usual writing grip, rather than with a clenched fist.
cut along a line with child-safe scissors, even though following the line exactly may still be hard.
undo some buttons and start being able to do up larger buttons.
put on and take off most of their clothes themselves, but maybe still need help with zippers, buttons or clothes that are hard to get the right way round.
serve food onto their plate and pour water from a small jug into a glass, with a little help from an adult.

Senses, contact and language

use language to tell things, ask questions and explain.
sing along to familiar songs and remember words from rhymes, chants and stories.
say what happens next in a story they know well.
play imaginative pretend games, where they imagine being someone else, for example a superhero, a preschool teacher, a dog or a doctor.
seek out other children to play with and start agreeing on roles and actions in shared games beforehand.
show care for others, for example by comforting a child who is sad or has hurt themselves.
start recognizing and avoiding obvious dangers, for example that it is not safe to jump down from very high places.
be happy to help with small tasks and show pride in what they can manage themselves.
start being able to adapt their behavior to different situations, for example that you talk more quietly in the library than at the playground.
use language more actively to talk about their feelings and start to understand how others may feel.

Ideas for play

Joy of movement
A 4-year-old often has a very clear opinion about which kinds of movement are the most fun. So play the games and start the activities you know increase your child’s joy of movement, and with it their wish to move and explore what their body can do.
The little chef
Pouring water, serving food onto a plate, stirring a batter or cutting a banana with a child-friendly kitchen knife are good ways to practice fine motor skills, precision and the teamwork between the two hands.
Let your child help out in the kitchen with small tasks that suit their age. This could be pouring ingredients into a bowl, kneading dough, peeling a banana or helping to set the table. It also gives your child a lovely sense of being able to do things themselves and be part of what the adults are doing. At the same time, your child gets the chance to explore different textures and consistencies, smells and tastes.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your child

falls and trips a lot compared with children their age.
finds it hard to jump, stand briefly on one leg or catch a large ball.
often avoids physical activities they would actually like to join in, because they are too hard or physically tiring.
consistently walks on their toes and cannot get their heels down onto the floor.
limps, walks asymmetrically or uses one arm or one leg much less than the other side.
has great difficulty using both hands together in ordinary activities.
shows no interest, or only very limited interest, in shared play, interaction and two-way communication.
has very frequent, intense or long-lasting emotional outbursts/meltdowns that significantly affect the child’s well-being or participation in everyday life.
reacts strongly to sounds, touch, clothes, food or other sensory input, so that it affects the child’s well-being or participation in everyday life.
has lost motor, language or social skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

5 years

At 5 years, your child’s body is strong and agile, and your child can now do many advanced movements like hopping on one foot, doing somersaults, swinging on their own and maybe riding a bike without training wheels. Language is rich, and your child can tell long stories and make rhymes, and may start taking an interest in numbers and letters. Play with other children has become more advanced, and your child has become better at waiting for their turn, sticking to an agreement and staying focused on an activity for longer.

At 5 years, an average child will typically…

CHILD
MILESTONES

at 5 years

Gross motor milestones

hop several times in a row on both the right and the left leg.
stand on one leg for several seconds and keep their balance, even when the body moves a little.
catch a smaller ball with their hands and kick a moving ball.
do a somersault without help.
swing on their own and jump off the swing while it is moving.
jump forward with their feet together and skip along.
ride a two-wheeled bike confidently without training wheels, if they have had the chance to practice.
run fast, stop, turn and change direction with good control.
balance on narrow and uneven surfaces and adapt their body’s movements to different challenges.

Fine motor milestones

hold a pencil with a secure grip controlled by the fingers and steer it for more precise drawing movements.
draw a recognizable person with several body parts and details such as eyes, mouth, hair or clothes.
write some of the letters in their name.
cut out simple shapes with scissors and start following both straight and curved lines.
do up buttons and put on and take off most clothes themselves, maybe still with a little help with tricky fastenings.
put butter and toppings on their bread with a knife by themselves, and use ordinary cutlery.
handle smaller objects with more and more precision, for example beads, building blocks and small parts for construction play.

Senses, contact and language

tell a coherent story they have experienced, heard or made up themselves.
keep a conversation going with several exchanges back and forth.
use and recognize simple rhymes, for example “cat” and “hat”.
count to 10 and start connecting numbers with quantities.
recognize and say the names of some letters, especially the ones in their own name.
use words about time, for example “yesterday”, “tomorrow”, “morning” and “evening”.
keep their attention on an interesting activity for 5–10 minutes or longer, for example while being read to, building things or doing creative activities.
follow simple rules and wait for their turn in games and play with other children.
play imaginative pretend games together with other children and plan beforehand what will happen in the game.
sing, dance or perform, and maybe make up their own little stories or shows.
help with small tasks at home, for example sorting socks, setting the table or tidying up.
start to understand other people’s perspectives and feelings better and increasingly use words to resolve disagreements.

Activity ideas

Active everyday life
Invite movement and the joy of movement by going outside every day, visiting playgrounds and making room and time in everyday life for physical play. If you can, make a point of walking or cycling to and from preschool. On bike rides, your child can practice starting, stopping, turning and keeping their balance.
Board games and card games
At this age, many children love playing board games and card games. Your child gets experience with waiting, changing strategy and handling the fact that things do not always go to plan. And it is a cosy way to spend time together. Start with simple games where the rules are easy to understand and where your child has a chance to succeed. Help with the difficult feelings when your child loses or gets frustrated. It is a skill they are still developing.

Take a closer look or seek advice if your child

has clear difficulties hopping on one foot, jumping, catching a ball, balancing or coordinating movements.
finds it hard to keep up in ordinary active games and often falls.
avoids physical activity or tires quickly.
consistently walks on their toes and cannot get their heels down onto the ground.
limps, walks clearly asymmetrically or uses one arm or one leg much less than the other side.
has very limited spoken language and is hard to understand for people outside the family.
finds it hard to take part in games and activities with shared rules, turn-taking or attention, to a degree that affects the child’s everyday life and well-being.
has very frequent, intense or long-lasting emotional outbursts/meltdowns that significantly affect the child’s well-being, relationships or participation in everyday life.
reacts very strongly to sounds, touch, clothes, food or other sensory input, so that it affects the child’s well-being or participation in everyday life.
has lost motor, language or social skills they previously had. This should be assessed by a doctor.

Frequently asked questions about baby motor milestones

Many babies start rolling from back to tummy at around 5 months, after starting to practice rolling onto their side at around 4 months.

This milestone is often a source of confusion, because there is a difference between tipping over passively, by accident, from tummy to back and being able to perform an active, controlled roll.

Young babies can tip over onto their back early on when they are lying on their tummy. This happens, for example, when they lift their head and upper body so that their center of gravity shifts and they lose their balance, or if they have a slight “banana shape”, which makes their head tip to one side and so also shifts their center of gravity to that side. But that is not the same as mastering a motor skill.

My approach to milestones is functional. So I am more interested in how a baby uses and controls their body than in whether the baby happened to get from one position to another with the help of gravity.

A controlled roll requires your baby to be able to actively shift their weight, rotate their body and steer the movement along the way. In the roll from tummy to back, your baby has to learn, among other things, to control and brake the movement while gravity helps the body over. This places more complex demands on the muscles than the roll from back to tummy does.

That is why I place more emphasis on your baby developing an active, controlled roll from back to tummy. I rarely use a missing roll from tummy to back as a sign of motor delay on its own. Some babies are so happy lying on their tummy and playing that they rarely practice getting onto their back again. It would be a shame to read this as motor delay, since in some cases it can actually be a sign of the opposite.

For me, it is more important to look at the overall motor development: Can your baby hold their head steady, support themselves on their arms, shift their weight, rotate their body and use both sides actively?

Rolling from tummy to back is certainly a motor skill too, but precisely because the movement can happen both as an unintended roll and as a controlled roll, I have chosen not to give it its own age-based milestone on this page.

At around 5 months, many babies start taking hold of their thighs, knees and lower legs with their hands when they are lying on their back. Around the age of 6 months, most can grab both feet and bring them up to their mouth.

This is an important part of motor development, because here your baby is actively working the tummy muscles, the hips and the core muscles. At the same time, your baby gets the chance to explore their feet with hands, eyes and mouth.

Pivoting means that your baby turns in a circle on their tummy, a bit like the hands of a clock. Around 6 months, many babies start practicing pivoting, and by 7 months they typically become more confident turning around to both sides. Pivoting is an important motor experience, because your baby practices shifting their weight from one arm to the other, rotating their body and using arms and legs to get to something exciting. It is also good preparation for belly crawling forward.

Many babies start being able to sit without support at around 7–8 months, and by 9 months most can both sit steadily and get into a sitting position from the floor on their own.

There is a difference between being able to keep their balance when an adult places the baby in a sitting position and being able to get from lying to sitting on their own. The latter requires more strength and coordination, which your baby develops through active floor play, belly crawling, crawling and, not least, by changing between different positions.

So I recommend giving your baby plenty of time on the floor to develop the movements that lead to sitting on their own. It is perfectly fine for your baby to sit supported by an adult or in a high chair at mealtimes, but in general I do not recommend spending time training your baby to sit on the floor before they can get into sitting by themselves.

There is also a very practical advantage to waiting. Once your baby has experienced how nice it is to sit up and play, it can be hard to accept going back down on the tummy, where moving around takes far more work. That can lead to some unnecessary little battles in everyday life.

An average baby starts belly crawling between 6 and 8 months.

The first belly crawling movements are often a little uncoordinated, but gradually your baby develops a more efficient movement pattern, where arms and legs work together to move the body forward in a coordinated cross pattern: one arm pulls while the opposite leg pushes, and then the other way around.

I recommend supporting a varied and even belly crawl on both sides, where your baby actively uses both sides of the body.

You can find exercises and play to support belly crawling in Belly Crawling.

An average baby starts crawling on all fours between 7 and 9 months.

At first, your baby typically practices getting up into the crawling position and rocking back and forth before the first crawling movements come. As crawling becomes more confident, a coordinated cross pattern develops, where the opposite arm and leg work together.
Crawling on all fours offers lots of opportunities to strengthen shoulders, arms, back, tummy and hips and to practice balance, weight shifting and coordination between the two sides of the body.

It is a motor phase I am very keen to support, even though some children find other ways of getting around and walk without having crawled much on all fours.

You can find exercises that help your baby move on from belly crawling to crawling in Crawling on All Fours.

No, that is far from certain. A baby often stays in the crawling position for many weeks, and sometimes months, before the actual crawling comes. So I recommend that you keep working on belly crawling in this phase, rather than skipping it and going straight to practicing crawling. The crossing movements of belly crawling give crawling a good head start, so even though belly crawling is not an absolute requirement for crawling, most babies benefit from going through this milestone.

An average baby starts pulling up to stand at the furniture between 8 and 10 months.

At first, your baby stands with their feet a little apart, and the ankles may roll in a little. It is common for feet and ankles to still be developing strength and stability at this stage. Your baby may also stand on their toes now and then, but should be able to get their heels down onto the ground.

At around 10–11 months, many also start taking steps sideways along the furniture and practicing getting back down to the floor.

An average baby starts walking independently around 12 months, but there is quite a wide normal range when it comes to walking. Many children take their first steps around the age of 12–14 months, while others start a little earlier or a little later.

By 15 months, most children walk on their own, and at 18 months a child who is not yet walking independently should be examined more closely. Still, I am in favor of keeping a close eye on walking development well before then, especially if the child is not showing clear progress.

There can be completely harmless explanations for why some children take longer to learn to walk. It could be, for example, mild hypermobility, low muscle tone, reduced stability around the hips and core, or small balance challenges, which can occur with fluid in the middle ear, for example.

Many of these children can benefit greatly from targeted motor exercises. And my experience is that it often makes sense to help a little earlier rather than wait until the child is 18 months old. Because when their peers start walking and running around the playground, it can become a limitation for a child’s chances of keeping up and joining in the play if they can still only get around on the floor.

So when I work with children who take longer to learn to walk, it is rarely about training the walking movement itself by holding the child’s hands or using a baby walker. It is much more about finding out what is challenging their stability and balance, and supporting exactly those functions.

Plenty of active floor play, crawling, getting up and sitting down again, and walking sideways along the furniture give good opportunities to develop strength, balance and coordination.

In my exercise program Walking, you will find playful games and exercises that support the development of strong, steady walking.

It depends on what you mean by important. A matter of life and death? No. An advantage for the development of the brain and the body? Yes, definitely!

When your baby lies on their tummy, rolls, belly crawls, crawls, pulls up to stand and walks, the body gains lots of valuable experience with strength, balance, rotation, coordination and sensory processing. These are movements that, through evolution, have become a natural part of human motor development, and they help build a good motor foundation.

But that does not mean motor development is built hierarchically, in the sense that you absolutely have to go through all the milestones like beads on a string to develop a strong, well-functioning body.

The brain and the body are most adaptable in the first years of life, but fortunately they stay adaptable throughout life. All our lives, we get good at the movements we use, practice and train. A child who skips some milestones but later gets plenty of movement experience, trains coordination and strength and finds joy in using their body can therefore very well develop a body that is at least as strong and well-functioning as that of a child who went through all the milestones but later had interests that did not involve moving their body.

It is an advantage if a baby develops through the many motor milestones that evolution has, after all, shaped. The movements the child goes through strengthen exactly what a strong body needs throughout life.

Because we have no idea what interests our children will have later in life. Maybe it will be chess, maybe a demanding sport. I simply want all children to have a good motor foundation, feel good in their body and be able to use it for whatever they want, whenever they want.

No. The ages on this page describe what a child with average development can typically do, or is learning, at different times. That does not mean all children should be able to do the same things at exactly the same age.

Please do read the sections Anti-worry and Average motor development.

If you are unsure, your health visitor, a pediatric physical therapist or your doctor can help assess your child’s development.

It is completely normal for babies to try out different positions and movements. But if your baby consistently uses one side of their body more than the other, I recommend looking into why, and helping your baby use both sides of their body.

A preferred side can show up in different ways through motor development. Maybe your baby prefers to look to one side. Maybe your baby lies with their body curved toward the same side when you look down at them lying on their back (banana shape). Maybe your baby always tips over to the same side or holds their head tilted when lying on their tummy. Maybe your baby only rolls and pivots one way. Maybe your baby belly crawls asymmetrically, or maybe your baby crawls with one foot planted on the floor (Tarzan crawling).

Some babies with a preferred side also develop a flat head on one side, because the pressure from the surface always hits the same spot on the back of the skull.

A body becomes stronger and more skilled at the movements it uses and practices, which is why a preferred side can carry over into the next motor milestones. So it makes good sense to support your child’s motor development when you notice a preferred side, so that the side your baby does not use spontaneously can become more involved in their movements again.

I have developed the exercise programs below for the different stages of a preferred side:

Preferred Side and Flat Head for the youngest babies with a preferred side and maybe a flat head on one side.
Asymmetrical Belly Crawling for babies who belly crawl forward with mainly one arm and the opposite leg doing the work.
Tarzan Crawling and Bottom Scooting for babies who crawl with one foot planted on the floor or get around sitting on their bottom.

If the preferred side is very pronounced, it may of course be relevant to have the exercises tailored even more individually. It is also important to have it assessed whether there is a particular cause for the asymmetry, for example if your baby finds it very hard to turn their head to one side or uses one arm or one leg markedly less than the other side. Talk to your doctor or health visitor if you are unsure.

I offer consultations in Aarhus, Copenhagen or online.

I think it is important to distinguish between being worried about your child’s motor development and wanting to support it. There does not need to be anything wrong, and you do not need to be worried, for it to make sense to support a child’s motor skills.

The milestones on this page describe average development, and babies learn the different skills at very different times. So if your baby is a little later to roll, belly crawl, crawl or walk, it does not necessarily mean that something is wrong.

But as a pediatric physical therapist, I am of course generally in favor of looking into why a milestone is taking its time, rather than just waiting for it to come. Maybe your baby needs a little more strength, better stability or help coordinating certain movements. And small changes in everyday play and a few good, targeted exercises can often help.

It is always important, though, to check with yourself whether you really have the time and mental energy for it, if it is only about ordinary support. In that case, something else may well be more important to prioritize in the big picture.

There are definitely situations where I recommend an individual assessment. This applies, among other things, if your baby seems very stiff or very floppy, has clear difficulties moving or does not show enough progress over time. And I recommend contacting a doctor if a baby loses skills they had before.

I have developed my exercise programs for the different stages of motor development. They contain concrete games and exercises that can be used both for completely ordinary motor support and for babies who need a little extra help to move on.

So my best advice is to use my milestones as inspiration to follow and support development, rather than as a list of things your baby absolutely has to be able to do at precise times. There is a lot you can do to give your baby good motor experiences, without it having to involve worry.

Not all babies follow exactly the same order in their motor development. Some babies, for example, skip belly crawling and go straight to crawling on all fours. That is perfectly fine, because if your baby can coordinate and stabilize an active crawl, belly crawling was not a necessary step for learning to crawl.

It is important to say that skipping some milestones does not necessarily mean that something is wrong, or that the child will have motor difficulties later in life. Motor development is not built hierarchically, and you can train the body and the brain throughout life … fortunately.

But … what we practice again and again, we get good at, and the muscles we use get stronger. That is why it is an advantage when a baby gets the chance to go through the different motor milestones. Quite simply because each milestone offers the chance to train different muscles and to practice new movements until they become automatic. When your baby rolls, belly crawls, crawls and pulls up to stand, the body works in different ways with strength, balance, body rotation, stabilization, weight shifting and coordination.

If a baby is about to skip a milestone, I recommend continuing to give room to practice exactly that movement through play. A baby who is already up on all fours can, for example, still benefit from practicing belly crawling, and a baby who has started walking can still get a lot out of crawling.

So a skipped milestone is not in itself a reason to worry. But I see no reason to skip good opportunities for motor development, when play and movement can give your baby an even broader motor foundation.

In my exercise programs, I have collected selected games and exercises that support the different motor milestones.

Yes, if a baby was born prematurely (more than three weeks early), you should, as a rule, use the corrected age when assessing motor development and milestones.

The corrected age is the age your baby would have been if they had been born on their due date. If your baby was born 8 weeks before the due date, for example, and is now 6 months old, their corrected age is about 4 months.

The corrected age is typically used until the child is around 2 years old, because the extra weeks or months the child should have had in the womb naturally affect when the different skills develop.

It is still important, though, to look at how your baby moves, uses their body and develops new skills. So the corrected age should be part of the assessment, but it does not replace an individual assessment of your child’s motor development.

Yes, there can be. Children who are delayed in their early motor development have an increased risk of also experiencing motor difficulties later in childhood. But far from all children with an early motor delay have difficulties later in life.

Motor development is strongly influenced by how a child uses their body while growing up. The body gets good at the movements it practices, and the muscles that are used get stronger. That is why the opportunities a child gets right from the start to move, play and challenge their body matter.

A bit of a vicious circle can also develop if a child finds certain movements hard right from the start. Climbing, running or playing ball may become less fun and motivating, and that can lead to less joy of movement and less movement in general. In this way, the gap in motor skills can grow over time.

That is one of the reasons I am in favor of an active approach to children’s motor development. If a child is delayed or finds certain movements hard, I think it makes good sense to find out why and help the child develop the skills that are difficult.

Fortunately, the brain and the body stay adaptable throughout life, and motor skills can be developed through play and training. So early motor delays are not a final “verdict” on a child’s future motor skills.

My goal is for all children to get the best possible opportunities to develop a strong, well-functioning body and to experience the joy of using it.

Sensory processing and motor development are closely connected. Every time a child moves, the brain uses information from the senses to feel where the body is, how it is moving and how much force a movement task needs.

Three senses in particular matter a lot for motor development: the sense of balance, the sense of body position from muscles and joints (proprioception), and the sense of touch. Among other things, they help the child keep their balance, stabilize their body, coordinate movements and adjust muscle force.

When a baby lies on their tummy, rolls, pivots, belly crawls, crawls, pulls up to stand and walks, the brain also receives lots of sensory input that it has to learn to process. In this way, sensory processing and movement support each other throughout development.

But some children find it harder to process certain sensory input accurately. Some, for example, need a great deal of movement, pressure or body contact to feel their body and settle. Others are quickly overwhelmed by sensory input. This can affect which motor activities the child wants to take part in, and so also how much they get to practice.

That is why, as a pediatric physical therapist, I am just as interested in a child’s sensory processing as in their motor skills. It often makes really good sense to work on both at the same time.

I have developed two exercise programs focusing on sensory processing:

DeveloBaby Sleep is for babies and young children from 4 weeks to 2 years who find it hard to settle, are very physically restless or have sleep difficulties where sensory processing may play a role. The program contains concrete sensory exercises and knowledge about baby sleep.
Sensory Integration is for children from about 2 to 12 years who are particularly sensitive to certain sensory input or have a strong need for sensory stimulation. Here I have collected knowledge, exercises and sensory-motor games that can help the child toward better regulation and well-being in everyday life.

Remember what I said about Anti-worry, and that “normal” and “average” are broad terms!

Sources and professional basis

The milestones on this page were written by me, Maria Schultz Appelt, physical therapist authorized in Denmark, based on my clinical experience as a pediatric physical therapist and on professional literature, research and Danish and international recommendations on children’s motor, sensory, language and social development. The ages describe typical development and are not to be understood as fixed requirements for the individual child. Last professionally reviewed in October 2026.

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Disclaimer

All content on DeveloBaby.com is based on recognized professional standards in Denmark, so you can expect it to be in line with the advice given in the Danish public health system. If you find that your child has major difficulties with sleep or motor development, or that the general exercises are not making a difference, you may need a consultation, where the exercises are tailored to your child. If your child is unwell, you should of course always contact your healthcare provider or doctor. Read more.