Activities for Gross Motor Skills in Infants

Birth to 3 Months

• A young infant can learn muscle control, hold objects in her hands and learn to hold her head up. Place your child on her stomach and encourage her to lift her head to look at you, or at her own face in a mirror. Give her small objects, such as a rattle, for her to practice holding in her hands. Place some of your baby's favorite toys just outside of her reach and encourage her to stretch for them.

4 to 7 Months

• Infants gain muscle strength as they get older, helping them roll over and sit up. Place a hand on your child's back to help him sit up until his balance gets better and he can sit up on his own. Offer a selection of toys for your child to reach at and explore while sitting. Place him on the floor and allow him to explore his hands and feet and experiment with how his body moves. As your baby approaches 7 months of age, guide him into a standing position. Let him bounce for a few seconds at a time to develop leg strength.

8 Months to 1 Year

• Babies nearing their first birthday begin crawling and working toward walking. Give your older infant open space to practice movement. Place toys in easy-to-see locations and encourage her to move toward the toys. Teach your child how to navigate stairs by letting her explore a few bottom steps. As your child begins cruising or walking with assistance, offer your hand or a walking toy for support.

Considerations

• Supervise your infant at all times when working on developing his gross motor skills. As your child grows, continue to revisit activities he enjoyed when he was younger, especially tummy time. Introduce your child to new gross motor skill activities when you feel he is ready. Remember, not all children progress at the same pace. Talk to your child's pediatrician about any concerns you have about your child's motor development.