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What is children’s motor development?
0 to 1 month – Physiological flexion to extension
- Baby starts in fetal position.
- Baby starts to straighten up.
2 months – Asymmmetry
- Greater ROM in extremities.
- Attempts to reach.
- Briefly holds with reflex.
3 to 4 months – Symmetry
- Arms move easily against gravity.
- Start of knee to chest/hands to thighs.
- Loves the « frog position ».
- Pushing using feet.
- Grasps and holds.
- Lifts head to 90°.
- Lifts body through forearms.
- Coordination beginning.
- Symmetry of trunk and head.
- Bilateral and symmetrical movements of extremities.
5 to 6 months – Head control
- Head control almost complete.
- Chin tuck.
- Improved coordination, greater variety of movements.
- Rolls back and forth.
- Knees to chest/touch feet.
- Swimming.
- Raise one arm to reach.
- Pivots with arms.
- Independent and very active lying on their back or stomach.
- Maintains independent sitting for a short time.
7 to 8 monts – Diversity and sitting
- Moves in commando crawling.
- Gets to 4 crawling starting position.
- Plays in side lying.
- Baby is very motivated to explore environment.
- Frequent change in positions.
- Increased interest towards small objects.
- Manipulates toys in sitting.
- Pulls to kneeling.
9 months – Trunk control
- Now able to crawl.
- Uses gross and fine motor abilities.
- Easy transitions from and to sitting.
- Needs 1 hand support for standing.
- Walks with help.
- Squats with support.
10 to 12 months – Variety, mobility and harmony
- Uses fine motor movements ++ in sitting.
- Able to walk and carry something.
Rappelez-vous que les enfants ne progressent pas tous au même rythme dans chaque sphère du développement. N’hésitez pas à consulter votre médecin ou physiothérapeute si la progression de votre enfant vous inquiète.
When to consult a physiotherapist
As soon as you notice that he’s having difficulty acquiring the stages of motor development:
- He has difficulty lifting his head at 3 months when lying on his stomach.
- Has difficulty holding his head at 3 months.
- Does not roll over at 7 months.
- Does not crawl at 8 months.
- Doesn’t walk on all fours at 10 months.
- Doesn’t walk at 15 months.
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