We at Angel’s Foundation understand that every child’s journey is unique and filled with exciting, yet sometimes daunting, new developments. Witnessing your child transition from a tiny newborn to a curious explorer is a joy, and monitoring their physical development—their motor skills—is a vital part of nurturing their potential.
Why Motor Skills Matter
Motor skills are movements and actions of the muscles. They are typically categorized into gross motor skills (using large muscles for movements like sitting, crawling, and running) and fine motor skills (using small muscles, often in the hands and fingers, for tasks like grasping, eating, and writing). These skills are the foundation for independence, learning, and interacting with the world.
For children, especially those we serve who are working towards enhanced motor skills or living with autism, tracking these milestones is crucial. It allows us to provide timely, personalized support to help them build confidence and embrace growth.
Key Physical Milestones: What to Look For
While every child develops at their own pace, there are general ranges for some of the most exciting gross motor milestones. Think of this as a roadmap, not a strict schedule! Head control is usually achieved between 2 to 4 months, which involves holding the head steady and lifting it during tummy time. This is quickly followed by rolling over between 4 to 6 months, starting with tummy to back. By 6 to 8 months, your child is likely mastering sitting up independently, using their hands for balance at first. The stage of mobility, or crawling, typically happens from 7 to 10 months and includes various movements like scooting or the classic crawl—a critical step for hand-eye coordination. From 8 to 12 months, watch for them pulling up to stand using furniture, which leads to cruising (walking while holding furniture) between 9 to 13 months. The magical moment of first steps or independent walking usually occurs between 12 to 18 months, unlocking a new level of exploration. Finally, between 18 months and 3 years, they develop complex skills like coordinated running, climbing stairs, and jumping with both feet.
When to Seek Support
As parents, your instincts are powerful. If you notice your child is significantly behind in these physical milestones, or if their movements seem stiff, asymmetrical, or uncoordinated compared to their peers, it may be time for a developmental check-in.
Early intervention is key! Recognizing and addressing developmental delays sooner, rather than later, dramatically increases a child’s chance of catching up and thriving.
Angel’s Foundation: Nurturing Potential
This is where we come in.
We at Angel’s Foundation are dedicated to nurturing potential and empowering children to thrive. Whether your child is working on speech skills, your family is seeking emotional support, or you are wanting to enhance their motor skills—we are here.
With a team of compassionate and skilled professionals, we offer personalized therapy and support services to help children with autism and other developmental needs reach their fullest potential. Our services often include:
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Focused on developing fine motor skills (e.g., grasping, self-feeding), sensory integration, and daily living activities.
- Physical Therapy (PT): Focused on developing gross motor skills (e.g., walking, balance, coordination) and strength.
We aim to help you and your loved ones build confidence and embrace growth with compassion and care! If you have any concerns or simply want to learn more about how we can support your child’s unique journey from crawling to confident climbing, please reach out to our team today. We’re ready to partner with you.