At What Age Should Kids Master Important Gross Motor Skills?

Understanding when kids learn big body movements, called gross motor skills, is really important. These skills involve using large muscles and are necessary for many sports and activities. Here’s a simple guide to when your child might learn these skills:

Infancy (0-12 months)

• Rolling Over: By about 4 to 6 months, most babies can roll from their tummy to their back and back again.
• Sitting Up: Around 6 to 8 months, babies usually can sit up on their own, which helps make their tummy muscles stronger.
• Crawling: Many babies start crawling between 8 to 10 months. This is a big step toward moving around.

Toddlerhood (1-3 years)

• Walking: Most kids take their first steps between 9 and 15 months. By 14 to 15 months, they can walk well.
• Running: By age 2, kids often start to run, even if it's a little wobbly. They get better as they practice.
• Climbing: Around 2 to 3 years old, toddlers begin to climb on furniture and play equipment, showing that they are gaining confidence.

Early Childhood (3-6 years)

• Kicking and Throwing: By age 3, many kids can kick a ball forward, and by age 4, they might be able to throw a ball over their head.
• Jumping and Hopping: By ages 4 to 5, kids can jump over things and take turns hopping on one foot, showing they have better coordination.
• Balancing: Around age 5, most kids can stand on one foot for a few seconds and might start riding a tricycle.

Middle Childhood (6-12 years)

• Refined Skills: By age 6, kids often become really good at movements needed for sports, like running and jumping.
• Complex Movements: Skills like skipping, turning, and catching get much better. By ages 8 to 9, many children can ride a bicycle, with or without training wheels.

Important Note

These ages are just general ideas. Every child grows at their own pace. Some kids may learn these skills sooner or later, and that’s okay! If parents or caregivers have any worries about a child’s physical growth, talking to a doctor can help.

To sum it up, keeping an eye on these gross motor skills helps us understand how kids grow and helps them stay active and healthy as they get older!