As a pediatric physical therapist, one of the things I get asked the most is "When should my child walk (or sit, crawl, run, jump etc.)? I am often hesitant to answer this question as the answer can vary from child to child and there is always a range of what is considered normal. Some parents want a firm age and become concerned if their child hasn't reached every skill by that age. So, keep in mind that each child is different. If a child isn't walking by 14 months but is pulling to stand and cruising, I would not be concerned. If a child is 14 months and showing no interest in walking and not standing yet, I would be concerned. In this post I will give an overview of what are considered typical ranges for motor milestone achievement, when to be concerned and a FREE developmental screening offered if you are concerned.

New babies have limited head, trunk and extremity control. As most new parents can tell you babies often cut themselves with their sharp little nails because they have poor control of their arms. Control begins to develop within the first few months in a cephalocaudal direction: beginning with the head and trunk and then proceeding to the arms and finally the legs. Within the arms and legs control begins proximal and progresses distally. Meaning control starts at the shoulder and hip and progresses to the hand and foot. As children gain control of their bodies their skill acquisition generally proceeds in a predictable pattern: Sitting without support, standing with assistance, crawling (some children skip this), walking with help, standing alone, and walking alone. Once these skills have been attained children can progress to skills requiring increased coordination: Running, jumping, hopping, skipping etc. Below us a list of general ranges of when major milestones are usually attained, keeping in mind that each child is an individual and has unique abilities and circumstances.

Rolls stomach to back: 4-6 months
Rolls back to front: 5-7 months
Sits without support when placed: 7-9 months
Gets into sitting independently: 7-9 months
Crawls: 7-10 months (Approximately 5% of babies never crawl. Some children bear crawl, army crawl of scoot on their bottom rather than traditional crawling.)
Pulls to stand: 7-9 months
Walks holding onto hands or furniture: 9-11 months
Stands alone steadily: 10-14 months
First Steps: 10-14 months
Comes to stand in the middle of the floor: 12-14 months
Walks steadily: 12-15 months
Throws ball: 18-24 months
Walks up steps holding railing placing both feet on each step: 22-24 months
Runs in coordinated pattern: 24-36 months
Walks down steps holding railing placing both feet on each step: 24-26 months
Walks up steps holding railing alternating feet: 30-32 months
Jumps: 28-30 months
Climbs on playground equipment (ladders, slides): 30-36 months
Walks up steps alternating feet with no rail: 3 years
Pedals tricycle: 3 years
Catches ball: 3 years
Hops on 1 foot (2-3 times): 3-4 years
Walks down stairs alternating feet holding rail: 3.5-5 years
Skips: 4.5-6 years
Pumps swing independently: 5 years

If your child has any of the red flags listed to the left or is behind on any motor milestones, or you just have a feeling that something is not right, Kids in Action Physical Therapy offers FREE gross motor development screens to ease parents concerns and to identify those that may benefit from physical therapy intervention. It has been my experience that parents, especially mother's have great intuition when something is not right with their child. The screen consists of completing a motor skill assessment which will give us the age a child is performing motor skills at. Call today to set up an appointment: (720)421-7412.

References

http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/Windows.pdf?ua=1

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/checklists/all_checklists.pdf

http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/medical_education/undergraduate/spm/SPM_100/documents/MotorDevelopment.pdf

http://www.amazon.com/Normal-Development-Functional-Motor-Skills/dp/0761641874

http://www.amazon.com/By-Jan-Stephen-Tecklin-Pediatric/dp/B008UB5WWC

Disclaimer :The information in this blog are for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, physical therapist or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Under no circumstances will Kids in Action Physical Therapy PLLC be held liable for any loss or damage caused by reliance upon information obtained through this website or blog. Any reliance upon information on this website and blog are at your own risk. Click here for full disclaimer.