Development of basic gross motor skills are acquired during normal play and movement. Children need to play and experience movement for development of basic skills.

0-3 Months

• While lying on tummy, pushes up on arms
• While lying on tummy, lifts and holds head up
• Able to move fists from closed to open
• Able to bring hands to mouth
• Moves legs and arms off of surface when excited

4-6 Months

• Uses hands to support self while sitting
• Rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back
• While standing with support, accepts entire weight with legs
• Reaches for nearby toys while on tummy
• While lying on back, reaches both hands to play with feet
• While lying on back, transfers a toy from one hand to the other

7-9 Months

• Sits without support
• Moves from tummy or back into sitting
• Starts to move with alternate leg and arm movement e.g. crawling, creeping
• Uses both hands to explore toys
• Picks up head and pushes through elbows during Tummy Time
• Turns head to visually track objects, while sitting
• Shows more control while Rolling, sitting, and Scooting
• Starts to pull to stand
• Enjoys a variety of movements – bouncing up and down, rocking back and forth
• Picks up small objects with thumbs and fingers
• Tries to lean towards, reach for, and pick up toys
• In simple play imitates others

10-12 Months

• Pulls to stand and cruises along furniture
• Stands alone and takes several independent steps
• Moves in and out of various positions to explore environment and get desired toys
• Sits unsupported and is able to turn head to look at objects without losing balance
• Maintains balance in sitting when throwing objects
• Claps hands
• Releases objects into a container with a large opening
• Uses thumb and pointer finger to pick up tiny objects

13-18 Months

• Walks independently
• Squats to pick up a toy
• Stacks two objects
• Helps with getting dress/undressed

18-24 Months

• can run, but stiffly
• walks up and down stairs if hand held
• hurls a ball
• can kick a ball or object
• jumps with both feet
• stands on one foot with hand held
• kicks ball forward

2 years old

• Walks smoothly and turns corners
• Begins running smoothly
• Is able to pull or carry a toy while walking
• Climbs onto/down from furniture without assistance
• Walks up and down steps with support

3 years old

• Imitates standing on one foot
• Imitates simple bilateral movements of limbs (e.g. arms up together)
• Climbs jungle gym and ladders
• Pedals a tricycle
• Walks up/down stairs alternating feet
• Jumps in place with two feet together
• Able to walk on tip toes

4 Years old

• Catches using body
• Stands on one foot for up to 5 seconds
• Kicks a ball forwards
• Throws a ball overarm
• Catches a ball that has been bounced
• Runs around obstacles
• Able to walk on a line
• Able to hop on one foot
• Jumps over an object and lands with both feet together

5 Years old

• Able to walk up stairs while holding an object
• Walks backward toe-heel
• Jumps forward 10 times without falling
• Skips forwards after demonstration
• Hangs from a bar for at least 5 seconds
• Steps forward with leg on same side as throwing arm when throwing a ball
• Catches a small ball using hands only

6 years old

• Runs lightly on toes