As a pediatric physical therapist, one of the most common questions I hear from parents is: “Is my child on track?”.
When it comes to gross motor skills—like rolling, sitting, crawling, walking—it’s completely natural to wonder if your child is hitting milestones “on time.” That’s why I’m excited to share our new and updated gross motor milestone checklists, created to help parents understand what to look for and how to support their child’s movement journey through purposeful play.
Let’s break down what you’ll find in the checklists, how to use these checklists to help your child grow, and why it matters.
What Are Gross Motor Milestones?
Gross motor milestones are the foundational movement skills children typically develop in the first few years of life. These include: head control, rolling, sitting up independently, crawling on hands and knees, pulling to stand, walking, running, jumping, and climbing.
Each of these skills lays the groundwork for the next, building strength, balance, and coordination - ideally in a step-by-step progression, although it may not always be linear.
What’s In the Updated Checklists
Our revised milestone checklists are supportive of early identification. They offer helpful reminders that there is a range of “normal.” Children may reach milestones at slightly different times, but early support can make a big difference.
- Delays are not something to fear, but something to explore. The sooner we know, the more we can do to help.
- Play is powerful. Purposeful, play-based movement is one of the best ways to encourage development.
As a parent you can take the activities listed on the checklist, get creative and implement practical and purposeful play to nurture gross motor skills at home using simple, everyday activities.
How to Use These Checklists
These checklists are designed to empower—not overwhelm—you. Here’s how to make the most of them:
- Observe and connect: Use the checklist as a guide to observe your child’s current abilities. Celebrate what they can do and take note of what’s still emerging.
- Play with purpose: Each checklist can be used to create play ideas that align with your child’s current stage, helping you build skills through fun, low-pressure movement.
- Seek support early: If you notice your child isn’t meeting several milestones in a given range—or if something just feels “off”—trust your instincts and reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. We’re here to help.
Why This Matters
Motor delays can sometimes be subtle, and well-meaning advice to “wait and see” can lead to unnecessary stress or missed opportunities for early intervention. By keeping these updated checklists handy, you’ll be better equipped to track your child’s progress, support skill-building through play, and advocate for your child if extra help is needed.
Gross motor development is about more than just movement—it supports emotional regulation, learning, social interaction, and confidence as your child grows.
And good news, our updated gross motor milestone checklists are available as a free download! Whether your little one is rolling for the first time or racing across the playground, these checklists are a tool to help you feel informed and empowered every step of the way.
If you have questions or want personalized support, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Milestones at Play, we’re passionate about helping families navigate development with clarity, confidence, and a whole lot of joy.
