Articles (EN)

Motor development: from flips to the first steps

2026-05-26 12:00 Development
In short: Motor development follows a universal sequence from bottom to top and from the center to the periphery: first control of the head, then the body, then the legs. Each child has its own terms - the spread of the norm according to the WHO is several months.

Gross and fine motor skills: what is the difference

Gross motor skills are skills that involve large muscle groups: holding the head, flipping, crawling, standing up, walking. Fine motor skills – precise movements of the hands and fingers: grasping, tweezers, shifting objects.
Both areas are developing in parallel and are interrelated. A child who trains the body during classes in the first months better prepares the basis for fine motor skills.

Head retention: first 3 months

At birth, the neck muscles are not yet strong enough to hold the head. By 1 month, the child raises his head for a second lying on his stomach. By 3 months, he confidently holds his head at an angle of 45° and above, leaning on his forearms. By 4 months, the head is stable in an upright position.
Tummy time is the main exercise for strengthening the muscles of the neck and back. It is recommended from the first weeks of life, a total of at least 30 minutes a day by 3-4 months (can be divided into short sessions). Always under the supervision of an adult.
If the child does not like to lie on his stomach, try to put him on his chest face down or on an inclined surface (legs lower, head higher) - this reduces the load and makes the position more comfortable.

Coups: 4-6 months

Flips are the first type of independent movement. Most children master the flip from back to stomach at 4-5 months, back - a little later, by 5-6 months. But the range of the norm is wide: some babies roll over at 3 months, others closer to 7.
  • Flip is the result of tummy time training and accumulated muscle strength
  • After the first overturn, enhanced security is required: do not leave on the sofa or changing table unattended
  • Some children prefer one type of flip for a long time – this is normal
To help the baby, you can attract attention with a bright toy on the side when he is lying on his stomach. This motivates you to stretch and roll over. Useful exercises are described in the article on development at 4-6 months.

Sitting: 6-9 months

According to the WHO, the normal range for independent sitting is from 4 to 9 months. Most babies sit without support at 6 to 7 months. Sitting "on a tripod" (with support on the hands between the legs) is an intermediate stage and the norm.
There is no need to rush the seat by placing pillows: this does not accelerate development and can be harmful. The child should sit down on his own when the muscles of the trunk are strong enough.
  • 6 months: sitting with support or in a "tripod"
  • 7 months: sits steadily without support for a few minutes
  • 8-9 months: sits confidently, turns from a sitting position

Crawling: 7–10 months

Crawling is an important step, but not mandatory. About 10-15% of children skip it, moving directly to walking. If the child actively moves in any way and development in other areas corresponds to the norm, skipping crawling is not a problem.
Crawling options:
  • Classic – on all fours, cross pattern (arm-leg from different sides)
  • Plastun style – on the stomach, pulling up with your hands
  • On the buttocks - "hedgehog" sitting, pushing off with your hands
  • "Bear" – on straight arms and legs
To motivate crawling, create obstacles from pillows, hide toys a short distance. Free space on the floor is more important than all educational toys combined. About specific games - in the article Games for development up to one year.

Pull-up and standing: 8-11 months

When a child can crawl, he begins to pull himself up to an upright position - using furniture, adult legs, crib bars. This happens on average at 8-10 months.
After getting up, many children do not know how to sit back for a long time and begin to cry. This is normal: the descent is more difficult than the ascent. Show your child how to bend his knees and lower himself to the floor – gradually he will learn this skill.
  • Ensure the stability of furniture: attach racks, chests of drawers to the wall
  • Remove sharp corners and dangerous objects at the child's height level
  • "Cruising" (moving along the furniture) is an important step before walking on your own

First steps: 9-15 months

According to the WHO, the normal range for starting walking is from 9 to 15 months. On average, children take their first independent steps at 11-13 months. There is no use rushing this moment: walking will "come" when the brain and muscles are ready.
Stages of mastering walking:
  1. Stands unsupported for several seconds
  2. Takes 1-2 steps between supports or towards an adult
  3. Walking with his legs wide apart, with falls is normal
  4. Walking becomes more confident, the range narrows
Shoes are not needed for walking around the house - bare feet feel the surface better and train the foot. The first shoes with a hard sole are worn for going outside. Read more about the norms and reasons for consultation in the article when a child begins to walk.

Fine motor skills: from the fist to the tweezer grip

Fine motor skills develop in parallel with gross motor skills. Its stages:
  • 0-3 months: fists clenched, reflex grasping
  • 3-4 months: looks at hands, accidentally grabs toys
  • 5-6 months: purposeful grasping with the whole palm, shifting
  • 7-8 months: grabs with both hands, examines objects, pulls into the mouth
  • 9-10 months: tweezer grip appears (thumb + index finger)
  • 11-12 months: puts objects in a container, flips through pages
Massage for babies, a game with different textures and safe objects of different sizes help to train fine motor skills.
Sensory sensations are the basis for the development of fine motor skills. Learn how to stimulate the senses in our article on sensory development.

When to see a doctor

  • At 4 months, he does not keep his head in the position on his stomach
  • At 6 months, he does not lean on his legs with support
  • At 9 months, he does not sit with minimal support
  • At 12 months, he does not crawl and does not move in any way
  • At 15 months, he does not take independent steps
  • Pronounced asymmetry: prefers one side of the body, does not use one hand
  • Muscle tone is very high or very low
  • Has lost already mastered skills (regression)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a walker?

Walkers are not recommended by pediatricians and AAPs: they can delay walking, pose a risk of injury and fall down stairs. The best alternative is a pusher gurney, which the child holds on to and walks on his own.

Is it possible to carry a child without letting him crawl?

Carrying in your arms and in a sling does not interfere with development - the child will still crawl when he is ready. It is important to allow enough time on the floor to move freely.

A child has flat feet – does it need to be treated?

Flat feet up to 3-4 years old is a physiological norm. The arch of the foot is formed as you walk. Special shoes and insoles in the first year are not necessary and are not effective according to modern research.

Conclusion

Motor development proceeds according to its own individual schedule. Create the conditions – a safe space to move, time on the tummy, understanding the stages of development by month – and trust nature. Keep an eye on the big picture, not specific dates.

Bibliography

  1. WHO. (2006). WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO Motor Development Study: Windows of achievement for six gross motor development milestones. Bull WHO, 84(7), 581–590.
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Motor Development: Infants. HealthyChildren.org.
  3. Adolph K.E., Hoch J.E. (2019). Motor Development: Embodied, Embedded, Enculturated, and Enabling. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 141–164.
  4. Bly L. (1994). Motor Skills Acquisition in the First Year: An Illustrated Guide to Normal Development. Therapy Skill Builders.
  5. Pin T., Eldridge B., Galea M.P. (2007). A review of the effects of sleep position, play position, and equipment use on motor development in infants. Dev Med Child Neurol, 49(11), 858–867.
  6. Flegontova V.V. (eds.) (2019). Pediatric neurology. Moscow: MEDpress-inform.
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are concerned about your child's development, consult your pediatrician or pediatric neurologist.