Developmental Milestones for 0-12 Months

I can’t believe it, but my youngest is almost one year old already!  It’s been entertaining to look back at how she’s grown and the developmental milestones she’s reached.  Any parent is well aware of the term “developmental milestones.”  The pediatrician always makes sure these milestones are being reached at every well-check appointment.  I’ve noticed many differences in gross motor skills development between my two girls.  They have both been within the “normal” range, more or less.  But the important thing to remember is that there are many variations of normal when it comes to children’s development.  However, I thought I would highlight some of the typical developmental milestones that should be achieved for 0-12 month olds.

As a pediatric physical therapist, I often treated children with a diagnosis of “developmental delay.”  This just means the child was falling behind on the gross motor skills that should be achieved for their age.  Occasionally, this diagnosis was accompanied by another underlying condition, such as Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy, but not always.  And just because a child’s gross motor skill acquisition was delayed, did not mean the child could not catch up.  Below is a guide of approximate ages for acquisition of some of the major gross motor milestones.  In addition, I’ve listed a few toys/objects that are great to assist with gross motor development… 🙂

0-2 Months

• Lifts head momentarily on tummy.  (Frequent bouts of “tummy time” while baby is awake are incredibly important even during those first few weeks of life.)
• Lifts and turns head to place opposite cheek on surface when laying on tummy.
• Begins to elevate head and trunk to approximately 45 degree angle when laying on tummy, bearing weight through forearms.
• Reflexively grasps objects in hand when pressure is placed in the palm of hand.

3-5 Months

• Keeps head aligned with body when held upright. (More head control…not quite as much of a bobble head.)
• Head and trunk elevation to 90 degrees when laying on tummy, bearing weight through forearms or hands.
• Lifts arms and legs off surface when laying on tummy. (Looks like baby is trying to swim.)
• Brings hands together when laying on back.
• Brings toys to mouth when laying back.
• Brings both feet to mouth or hands for play when laying on back.
• Rolls from tummy to back.
• Prop sits with hands on floor to maintain balance. (5 months)

6-8 Months

• Sits unsupported for 1 minute or more.
• Rolls from back to tummy.
• Stands with both hands held.
• Transfers objects from one hand to the other.
• Starting to assume hands and knee position.
• Emersion of protective reactions using arms to break a fall when sitting. (Baby reaches arm out to catch self when falling forward or to one side.)
• Pulls to stand. (8-9 months)

9-12 Months

• Crawls on hands and knees.
• Moves in and out of sitting from laying on tummy/crawling.
• Pivots in sitting. (Sits facing one direction and turns to face another direction while still sitting on bottom.)
• Bangs two objects together.
• Baby can cruise along furniture. (Takes side steps to transverse the length of couch, coffee table, etc.)
• Stands alone momentarily.
• Walks with hands held.
• Walks 10 feet independently. (12-15 Months – it is often a misconception that a child should be walking by their first birthday, but this is absolutely not the case.)

 

Of course, these developmental milestones listed are just a guide.  As I said previously, there is a very wide range of normal for gross motor skills development.  Some children develop skills in a slightly different order, or skip some skills all together.  Though I must say, from a therapist stand point, crawling is an important skill to develop!  This skill is a foundation skill for developing core and upper body strength and stability.  So even if it is not a preferred method of mobility, it’s important a baby learns how.  You should always consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child’s development.

My oldest was bound and determined to be one of the children who skipped crawling.  I fought tooth and nail to make sure she learned how to crawl at least.  But two days later she started cruising.  Her crawling was never all that efficient and as soon as she was near anything she could pull up on, you better believe she was up and cruising again.  She was then walking independently by 9.5 months, albeit unsteadily.  And now my youngest, who was a premie, is 11.5 months and cruising, walking holding hands for short distances, not really standing alone much, but she is a speed crawler when she sees something she wants.

No two kids are alike, so why should acquisition of developmental milestones be any different.  However, there are certainly ranges for when particular skills should arise.  And times when there may be a cause for concern if certain milestones have not yet been attained.  Frequently, therapeutic intervention can assist with developmental milestone achievement, and maximize functional mobility necessary for keeping up with peers.