Typical Gross Motor Development Milestones
Source: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall
Topics: Developmental Milestones, Motor (Age 0-1), Motor (Ages 2-3), Motor (Ages 3-5), Growth and Motor Skill Development
Birth to 6 Months
- Sits upright with prop
- Supports own head when in a sitting position
- Lifts head and supports self on arm when on stomach
- Raises arms and legs when placed on stomach
- Rolls over
6 Months to 1 Year
- Sits alone
- Crawls
- Pulls self from a sitting to standing position
- Stands without holding on to an object or person
Age 1 Year
- Walks unassisted
- Climbs onto low furniture
- Climbs stairs with assistance
- Pulls or pushes toys with wheels
- Kicks ball holding on to support
- Catches rolling ball between legs while sitting
Age 2 Years
- Runs very stiffly on toes
- Jumps using both feet simultaneously
- Walks upstairs holding the banister
- Walks on tiptoes
- Pedals a tricycle while adult pushes
- Kicks a ball forward without losing balance
- Plays on a rocking horse
- Throws a ball overhanded five to seven feet
- Hangs from a bar
Age 3 Years
- Throws a ball to adult standing five feet away
- Runs without falling
- Hops on alternating feet
- Stands on one foot
- Walks backward for several feet
- Moves a chair to reach for an object
- Rides tricycle using pedals, unassisted by an adult
- Walks backward easily
- Walks on balance beam with one foot on the floor and the other on the beam
Age 4 Years
- Walks upstairs like an adult by alternating feet
- Runs smoothly with changes in speed
- Skips using alternate feet rather than galloping
- Bounces a ball
- Catches a ball with arms and body
- Jumps up and down on the floor several times
- Bounces playground ball
- Catches beanbags with hands
Age 5 Years
- Hops on one foot
- Performs jumping jacks and toe touches
- Walks up and down the stairs while carrying objects
- Catches a ball with two hands
- Bounces a ball in place
- Skips rope
Age 6 Years
- Jumps over objects ten inches high
- Does somersaults and cartwheels
- Performs headstand
- Rides a bicycle with training wheels
- Walks securely on balance beam
- Balances on roller skates
- Throws with accurate placement
- Dribbles ball
- Kicks rolling ball
Excerpted From:
Excerpt from An Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education, by L.L. Dunlap, 1997 edition, p. 39.
© 1997, Merrill, an imprint of Pearson Education Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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