Motor Skill Milestones: How Children Learn to Move

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Motor skill milestones describe how children typically learn to move and use their bodies, from head control in infancy to coordinated running, hopping, and handwriting in the early primary years. Ages are approximate; variation is normal, but large delays or loss of skills need professional review.who​

0–12 months: Early motor control

  • Around 0–4 months: Holds head up when on tummy, lifts chest on forearms, briefly holds a rattle, and brings hands to midline and mouth.brownhealth​
  • Around 5–12 months: Rolls both ways, sits without support, reaches for and grasps toys, transfers objects hand‑to‑hand, crawls, pulls to stand, and may cruise along furniture or take first steps.physio-pedia​

1–2 years: Toddlers on the move

  • Around 12–18 months: Walks independently, creeps up stairs, pushes/pulls toys, stacks 2–3 blocks, uses pincer grasp to pick up small items, and attempts to feed self with fingers or spoon.prayatna​
  • Around 18–24 months: Runs more steadily, climbs on furniture, kicks or throws a ball, turns book pages, scribbles, and places simple shapes into a sorter.chrichmond​

2–3 years: Strength and coordination

  • Gross motor: Jumps with both feet, walks up stairs with support, begins to balance briefly on one foot, and starts riding simple ride‑on toys.chrichmond​
  • Fine motor: Stacks 4–6 or more blocks, draws vertical and horizontal lines, strings a few beads, and uses a spoon with minimal spilling.choc​

3–5 years: Preschool motor skills

  • Around 3–4 years: Runs and climbs confidently, pedals a tricycle, stands on one foot for a few seconds, catches a large ball, copies a circle and cross, and snips with scissors.helpmegrowmn​
  • Around 4–5 years: Hops on one foot, begins to skip, throws and catches a ball more accurately, draws a person with several body parts, and cuts along simple shapes.chrichmond​

5–8 years: School‑age refinement

  • Around 5–6 years: Skips, jumps rope, rides a bicycle (often with training wheels initially), shows clearer hand dominance, and writes some letters and numbers with better control.brownhealth​
  • Around 7–8 years: Shows smoother running and ball skills, better balance in games (e.g., hopping, beam walking), neater handwriting, and more precise hand control for crafts and school tasks.napacenter

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