What are gross motor skills? Gross motor skills involve the larger, stronger muscle groups. In early child development, it’s the development of these muscles that enable infants to hold their head up, sit up independently, crawl, and eventually walk, run, jump and skip. Learn about the gross motor skill development for infants from 0-21 months old in this presentation. We've also included activities you can do with your baby to help encourage the development of their gross motor skills.

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Gross Motor Skills &
Development for Infants
Gross Motor Milestones for Babies 0-12 Months

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What Are Gross Motor Skills?
 Gross motor skills involve the larger, stronger muscle groups.
 These skills include the way a person uses his arms, legs, or whole
body to make movements.
 In early child development, it’s the development of these muscles
that enable infants to:
 hold their head up,
 sit up independently,
 crawl and eventually walk, run, jump and skip.
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Infants Aged 0-3 Months
Gross Motor Milestones
 Important visual skills emerge during the first 3 months. These
contribute to the child’s ability to reach motor milestones.
 At 3 months, most babies can:
 Turn their heads to both sides when on their backs
 Lift their head when held at your shoulder
 Move their arms equally and begin to “bat” at toys presented near them
 Lift their heads up to a 45 degree angle while on their belly
 Bring their hands to the middle of their body while on their back when
presented with a toy
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Infants Aged 0-3 Months
 For an infant under three months,
gently flex your baby’s legs in a
bicycle movement while she is on
her back.
 Gentle neck exercises. Help your
infant reach for a rattle held above
his chest. Or, make some silly
sounds to encourage your infant to
lift his head.
 Babies need variety. Put your infant
in different positions when he’s
awake so he can move his arms and
legs in different directions (Always
stay with your baby and watch him
when placed on his stomach).
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Gross Motor Skills Development Activities

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Infants Aged 3-6 Months
 At 6 months, most babies can
do the following:
 Hold their heads up when being
held in a sitting position
 Roll
 Push themselves up onto their
arms when on belly
 Pivot body when on belly
 Sit momentarily when leaning
on hands
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Gross Motor Milestones

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Infants Aged 3-6 Months
 Place your infant on her belly and help her reach a rattle out in front.
 Have fun with bubbles! Encourage your infant to move his arms by
blowing bubbles and showing him how to swat at them.
 Turn yourself into a chair for your infant. Sit behind your infant for
support, and let him hold a toy or a soft book. You can whisper in his
ear, gently kiss his cheek – anything to let your baby know he is loved.
 Help your infant stand. Place her on your knees and gently hold her up
to a standing position. This will strengthen your infant’s legs and help
to gain balance to see the world in a new perspective.
 Babies love to bounce. Hold your infant’s hands to help her stand up
on the floor, your lap or the sofa. Watch your baby smile as she
bounces up and down.
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Gross Motor Skills Development Activities

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Infants Aged 6-9 Months
 From 6 to 9 months, your infant is turning into a little explorer.
Once his legs are strong, he might enjoy standing, so put some
toys on the sofa or a low table, to encourage reaching for them.
 Create an obstacle course. A few pillows and blankets on the floor
make crawling much more exciting.
 Let your child create her own obstacle course. She will crawl under
tables and behind chairs, so make sure those areas are safe and
clean.
 Once your child can sit alone, give her toys. No need to run to the
store – simply give him or her a shiny pot lid. Your child will enjoy
seeing her reflection and making music when banging on it.
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Gross Motor Skills Development Activities

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Infants Aged 9-12 Months
 At one year old, most babies can
do the following gross motor
skills:
 Sit without support
 Crawl
 Pull up to a standing position
 Stand for a few seconds
 Walk while holding something for
support
 Imitate you as you roll a ball
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Gross Motor Milestones

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Infants Aged 9-12 Months
 A tunnel can be made by placing a sheet over a table. Turn this into a
game by calling your baby’s name and rewarding her with kisses when
she comes out of the tunnel.
 Turn changing diapers into a mini workout. When your baby is kicking her
legs, start singing a song. When she stops kicking, you stop singing. When
she starts kicking, you start singing again.
 Containers are great toys. Now that your baby can sit, put a large see-
through container in front of him with plastic lids, blocks, anything that will
fit in the container. Your baby will love putting things into the bowl and
dumping them out.
 Turn bath time into fun time. Measuring cups and plastic funnels are great
in the tub. Or, take a small plastic watering can and making it ‘rain’ during
bath time.
www.earlyinterventionsupport.com
Gross Motor Skills Development Activities

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Want to learn more
about gross motor skills
for infants, toddlers,
and children?
Visit our website at
www.earlyinterventionsupport.com!
www.earlyinterventionsupport.com