OT Milestones - Gross Motor

OT Milestones - Gross Motor

Ashley Bonkofsky

Gross motor skills involve movement of large muscle groups in the arms, legs, torso, and feet. Examples of gross motor skills include sitting, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, throwing, catching, biking, etc. These abilities are usually acquired during childhood as part of a child's motor learning. They require strength, coordination, balance, postural control, endurance, motor planning, and motor control to develop.

Occupational therapy can help children develop these skills. Keep in mind, each child’s developmental timeline is unique, and this is only meant to be used as a general guideline. Delays noticed in your child may or may not indicate need for occupational therapy services.

By 1 year: 

  • Sits without support 

  • Creeps on hands and knees 

  • Pulls self to stand

  • Cruises (walks while holding onto furniture)

  • Takes 2-3 steps without support

  • Rolls a ball in imitation of an adult

By 6 months: 

  • Sits with support

  • Rolls over prone to supine, supine to prone

  • Lifts head and supports weight on elbows while on belly 

 

By 3 years: 

  • Imitates standing on one foot

  • Imitates simple bilateral movements of limbs (e.g. arms up together)

  • Climbs jungle gym and ladders

  • Pedals a tricycle

  • Walks up/down stairs with alternating feet

  • Jumps in place with two feet together

  • Jumps forward 4 inches 

  • Able to walk on tip toes

  • Catches using body

By 2 years: 

  • Sits, crawls, walks 

  • Begins running

  • Able to pull or carry a toy while walking

  • Climbs onto/down from furniture independently 

  • Walks up and down steps with support

  • Picks up toys from the floor without falling over

  • Jumps up 2 inches 

 

By 5 years: 

  • Able to walk upstairs while holding an object

  • Walks backward toe-heel

  • Jumps forward 10 times without falling

  • Skips and gallops forward after demonstration

  • Hangs from a bar for at least 5 seconds

  • Steps forward with leg on same side as throwing arm when throwing a ball

  • Catches a ball using hands only

By 4 years: 

  • Stands on one foot for up to 5 seconds

  • Able to hop on one foot

  • Kicks a ball forward

  • Throws a ball using overhand throw 

  • Catches a ball that has been bounced

  • Runs around obstacles

  • Able to walk on a line

  • Jumps over an object and lands with both feet together

  • Runs with good coordination and stops without falling

 

By 6 years: 

  • Able to walk on a balance beam

  • Able to skip using a jump rope

  • Hops farther distance/height  

  • Demonstrates mature throwing and catching patterns

  • Stands on 1 foot with eye closed

  • Skips with alternating feet


 

This blog post contributed by Caitlin McConnell, MS, OTR/L

Adapted from: https://childdevelopment.com.au/resources/child-development-charts/gross-motor-developmental-chart/ and Rackley, M., Hall, L, Busch, A., Phillips, J, & Myott, F. (2007). Developmental Milestones Guide, Second Edition. Coastal OT Connections, LLC.

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