Developmental check-ups with a Pediatrician throughout your child’s first year of life (at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months) are a perfect place to bring up any concerns you as a parent may have about your child’s development. While pediatricians have their own set of developmental red flags, these only hit the “big-bad-uglys” as we like to call them, including: is your child rolling by 6 months, sitting independently by 8 months, crawling by 12 months, and walking by 18 months.

These red flags are very specific, meaning a child who exhibits these red flags would be identified for services, but not very sensitive, meaning many children who would benefit from therapy services are missed. I have seen many children referred to physical therapy for delayed walking skills, who are not standing independently or didn’t roll consistently until 8 months.

To help these children who are being missed by the pediatrician’s red flags, I have put together a list of gross motor skills to discuss with your pediatrician at your child’s check-ups throughout their first year.

2 Months:

• Lifts and maintains head up when on belly

4 Months:

• Controls head during pull to sit
• Controls head when held at shoulder
• Controls head while in supported sitting

6 Months:

• Sits independently for 1 minute
• Rolls from belly to back
• Rolls from back to belly
• Lifts chest off ground when on belly, pushing onto extended arms
• Grabs feet or knees when on back
• Bears weight through legs in supported standing

9 Months:

• Gets into and out of sitting independently
• Army crawls or crawls on hands and knees

12 Months:

• Pulls to stand at stable surface
• Cruises along furniture
• Stands independently for 5 seconds
• Walks forward with hands held

NSPT offers services in the Chicagoland Area. If you have questions or concerns about your child, we would love to help! Give us a call at (877) 486-4140 and speak to one of our Family Child Advocates today!