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Physical Development

Rolling, crawling, walking and motor skills — milestones and activities to support movement.

81 expert articles
My Baby Hates Tummy Time: Why it Happens and What to DoPhysical
My Baby Hates Tummy Time: Why it Happens and What to Do
It’s a well known fact that tummy time is great for development, but it’s also common for some babies to hate tummy time. Don’t fret if that’s your ca
May 03, 2023 · 6 min read
When Do Babies Crawl? – A Guide to CrawlingPhysical
When Do Babies Crawl? – A Guide to Crawling
When do babies crawl?  Continue reading to find out along with ways you can help your baby learn to crawl and support their development. As a parent,
Apr 24, 2023 · 6 min read
Signs Your Baby Will Walk SoonPhysical
Signs Your Baby Will Walk Soon
Are you eagerly waiting for the moment when your baby takes their first steps? Are you wondering what signs indicate that your little one is on the br
Apr 18, 2023 · 3 min read
Benefits of Yoga for KidsPhysical
Benefits of Yoga for Kids
We can play inside and outside and help teach our children to enjoy moving their bodies and exploring what they can do. Yoga for kids is a playtime ac
Feb 23, 2023 · 5 min read
Baby Growth Spurts: How To Detect Them And What To DoPhysical
Baby Growth Spurts: How To Detect Them And What To Do
One of the most commonly discussed topics among parents is the phenomenon of growth spurts.  You’ve probably heard parents, relatives, and friends dis
Feb 02, 2022 · 3 min read
When Do Babies Sit Up?Physical
When Do Babies Sit Up?
One of the most exciting parts of parenthood is watching your baby grow and develop new skills. During the first year, your child will learn and devel
Jan 21, 2022 · 7 min read
When To Start Tummy TimePhysical
When To Start Tummy Time
As a new parent, you have most likely been researching for months to prepare for your new baby. From sleeping to feeding, diaper changes, when to star
Jan 18, 2022 · 7 min read
When Do Babies Roll Over?Physical
When Do Babies Roll Over?
Want to know when babies roll over and how to help your little one get there? Here are some activities! When do babies roll over and how does this pro
Jan 10, 2022 · 5 min read
When Do Babies Start Walking?Physical
When Do Babies Start Walking?
Your baby’s first steps are something every parent waits for and anticipates with excitement. As you watch your baby grow and develop in their first y
Sep 08, 2021 · 7 min read
How can I help my child develop pincer grasp?Physical
How can I help my child develop pincer grasp?
One of the great milestones that your baby will fulfill during their first year of life is the pincer grasp. Read more about this important skill. Key
Jun 25, 2021 · 4 min read
When do babies start to see?Physical
When do babies start to see?
During the first days with your little one, it is normal for you to have some doubts, such as when do babies start to see or when they’ll begin to mov
Mar 25, 2021 · 3 min read
Auditory stimulation for babies: 3 practical tipsPhysical
Auditory stimulation for babies: 3 practical tips
Did you know that your baby can hear from the womb? In fact, a child’s sense of hearing is nearly fully formed by the time they are born. But that doe
Feb 08, 2021 · 3 min read
Tummy time: Start from day onePhysical
Tummy time: Start from day one
What is tummy time?  Placing your little one on their tummy to play with toys or interact with you is known as “tummy time.” It’s important that babie
Jan 30, 2021 · 4 min read
How can I help my baby walk without support and what precautions should I take?Physical
How can I help my baby walk without support and what precautions should I take?
Key points: Babies need to acquire key skills such as head control, sitting, rolling over and standing up before they can start walking without suppor
May 06, 2020 · 3 min read
My baby can stand up by herself!Physical
My baby can stand up by herself!
Key points: Babies acquire muscular strength and coordination by practicing standing up with support. After gaining confidence, babies will try to sta
May 06, 2020 · 3 min read
How can I help my baby stand up?Physical
How can I help my baby stand up?
Key points: The article highlights the excitement of babies being able to stand up and see the world from a different perspective. The article explain
May 06, 2020 · 3 min read
Does your baby support their own weight?Physical
Does your baby support their own weight?
Key points: The article discusses a new developmental milestone that babies can reach around four months old, which involves supporting weight on thei
May 06, 2020 · 3 min read
Ideas to help your baby start crawlingPhysical
Ideas to help your baby start crawling
Key points: Not all babies learn to crawl in the traditional way or at the same age, but it is important that they figure out a way to explore and lea
May 06, 2020 · 3 min read
My baby won’t crawl! What should I do? Physical
My baby won’t crawl! What should I do? 
Key points: Babies have an innate desire to move and explore their surroundings before they reach one year old. Crawling is an important developmental
May 06, 2020 · 3 min read
Ball skills: KickingPhysical
Ball skills: Kicking
Key points:1. Your child’s physical skills, muscle control, balance, and coordination are developing.2. Progressing from one skill to the next is a si
Oct 11, 2019 · 4 min read
Benefits of walkingPhysical
Benefits of walking
Key points:1. Walking is a significant step toward independence for your child.2. As they become more mobile, they develop curiosity and can explore n
Oct 11, 2019 · 3 min read
What makes your little one walk?Physical
What makes your little one walk?
Key points:1. Learning to walk typically takes around 12 months, as many skills and muscles need to develop first.2. Strong neck, arm, core, and leg m
Oct 11, 2019 · 5 min read
When do babies stand up? – Part 3Physical
When do babies stand up? – Part 3
Key points:1. By 12-14 months, your baby can go from standing to squatting, showcasing balance.2. They develop neck muscles to maintain their balance,
Oct 05, 2019 · 4 min read
When do babies stand up? – Part 2Physical
When do babies stand up? – Part 2
Key points:1. Your baby can stand while holding onto objects between 10-12 months.2. They’ll briefly stand with your help, enhancing balance skills.3.
Oct 05, 2019 · 4 min read
When do babies stand up? – Part 1Physical
When do babies stand up? – Part 1
Key points:1. Standing up is a key physical milestone that typically occurs between 9 and 14 months.2. It involves various skills such as pulling up t
Oct 05, 2019 · 4 min read
Why does my child run all day without getting tired?Physical
Why does my child run all day without getting tired?
Key points: Children’s muscles have a unique fiber that makes them less prone to fatigue during running. Encouraging short, high-intensity exercises l
Oct 04, 2019 · 3 min read
Ready? Let’s run!Physical
Ready? Let’s run!
Key points: Running is a significant gross motor skill development milestone between 18-36 months. Encourage activities that improve balance and spati
Oct 04, 2019 · 4 min read
Sight and attentionPhysical
Sight and attention
Key points: Visual attention is a crucial skill for cognitive development and longer attention spans. It begins to develop during the first few months
Oct 04, 2019 · 3 min read
Your baby’s visual timelinePhysical
Your baby’s visual timeline
Key points: During the first week, a baby’s vision is limited to black and white, but starts to develop more colors after a week. It is recommended to
Oct 04, 2019 · 3 min read
Why is drawing important for your little one?Physical
Why is drawing important for your little one?
Key points: Drawing can foster fine motor skills in children, while the act of drawing and related language skills can be a “great precursor for your
Oct 04, 2019 · 3 min read
Why is handwriting so important for your child?Physical
Why is handwriting so important for your child?
Key points: Preschoolers’ early writing skills can predict both their grades and their standardized test scores in second-grade reading and math, acco
Oct 04, 2019 · 3 min read
Hand coordination: 36-48 monthsPhysical
Hand coordination: 36-48 months
Key points: Children around the age of four develop increased control over their fine motor skills, including hand coordination and using utensils. De
Oct 04, 2019 · 3 min read
Hand coordination: 24-36 monthsPhysical
Hand coordination: 24-36 months
Key points: Children around the age of three develop increased muscle movement control, including hand coordination. Development milestones for this a
Oct 04, 2019 · 3 min read
Hand coordination: 12-24 monthsPhysical
Hand coordination: 12-24 months
Key points: During the second year of a child’s life, their fine motor skills are still developing and new activities can be introduced to support han
Oct 04, 2019 · 3 min read
Hand coordination: 0-12 monthsPhysical
Hand coordination: 0-12 months
Key points: The first year of a child’s life is a period of rapid physical development, including the development and refinement of fine motor skills.
Oct 03, 2019 · 3 min read
Head control: 5-6 monthsPhysical
Head control: 5-6 months
Key points: Head control is the foundation for many of your baby’s next milestones and can be fostered through fun activities. Activities can include
Oct 03, 2019 · 3 min read
Head control: 3-4 monthsPhysical
Head control: 3-4 months
Key points: At 3-4 months old, babies will have more control over their head and be able to hold it aligned with their body. They will also improve th
Oct 03, 2019 · 3 min read
Head control: 1-2 monthsPhysical
Head control: 1-2 months
Key points: Babies develop head control and muscle tone during their first few months of life. Tummy time is the most recommended activity to help bab
Oct 03, 2019 · 3 min read
How to make sure your newborn’s head is safePhysical
How to make sure your newborn’s head is safe
Key points: During the newborn stage, a baby’s neck muscles are weak, and they rely on adults to support their head. Newborns have primitive reflexes
Oct 03, 2019 · 3 min read
What are the skills that crawling helps develop in my child?Physical
What are the skills that crawling helps develop in my child?
Key points: Developing core muscles is essential for a baby’s posture and physical development. Tummy time, crawling, bouncing on an exercise ball, co
Oct 03, 2019 · 3 min read
Baby’s muscle developmentPhysical
Baby’s muscle development
Key points: Muscle tone is an important factor in a baby’s physical development and affects milestones like sitting, standing, and walking. Babies hav
Oct 03, 2019 · 3 min read
The importance of holding objects while walkingPhysical
The importance of holding objects while walking
Key points: Holding objects while walking can actually improve a child’s balance, contrary to what one might think. A study showed that 90% of 13-mont
Oct 02, 2019 · 3 min read
Becoming a jumping masterPhysical
Becoming a jumping master
Key points: Jumping is an important gross motor skill that children can develop through different activities that focus on muscle strength, balance, p
Oct 02, 2019 · 4 min read
Jumping… It’s easy, right?Physical
Jumping… It’s easy, right?
Key points: Jumping is a significant task for toddlers that requires courage, balance, strength, and body coordination. Toddlers typically start testi
Oct 02, 2019 · 3 min read
Activities to encourage your baby’s first steps!Physical
Activities to encourage your baby’s first steps!
Key points: Babies typically begin walking between the ages of 9 and 18 months, but all babies develop at their own pace. Certain exercises can help b
Oct 02, 2019 · 3 min read
How does child development occur?Physical
How does child development occur?
Key points: Development is not a linear process, but rather a complex and multifaceted journey. Early childhood development is domain-specific, with e
Aug 19, 2019 · 3 min read
How is the sense of taste developed?Physical
How is the sense of taste developed?
Key points: Taste is a complex sense influenced by various factors like texture, smell, and appearance of food. Taste buds begin forming in the womb a
Jul 23, 2019 · 3 min read
School is out: The best tips and tricks for vacationsPhysical
School is out: The best tips and tricks for vacations
Key points: School break activities are vital for stimulating and entertaining your child. Tips include maintaining a schedule, planning daily activit
Jul 01, 2019 · 5 min read
Baby’s first movements and coordinationsPhysical
Baby’s first movements and coordinations
Key points: The first six months of a baby’s life is a crucial period for motor development. Parents can foster motor development by providing sensory
May 07, 2019 · 6 min read
Hand preference and language skillsPhysical
Hand preference and language skills
Key points: Hand preference or dominance emerges between 2 and 4 years of age in most children. Hand preference stabilizes at around 18 months, with 8
Apr 08, 2019 · 4 min read
From big to small musclesPhysical
From big to small muscles
Key points: Physical development includes gross and fine motor skills, involving large and small muscle movements. Milestones like crawling and scribb
Apr 08, 2019 · 3 min read
Object manipulation: Learning how the world works PART 2Physical
Object manipulation: Learning how the world works PART 2
Key points: Object manipulation in early development is crucial for later language, communication, and gestural skills. Exploration of objects is link
Apr 08, 2019 · 3 min read
Object manipulation: Learning how the world works PART 1Physical
Object manipulation: Learning how the world works PART 1
Key points: Your child’s manipulative skills involve using objects to complete tasks and are essential for understanding the world. They progress from
Apr 06, 2019 · 3 min read
Fine motor skills: The art of scribbling and writing PART 2Physical
Fine motor skills: The art of scribbling and writing PART 2
Key points: Around 34 months, your child starts holding crayons with a more mature grip, preparing for writing. They plan their drawings, love copying
Apr 06, 2019 · 3 min read
Fine motor skills: The art of scribbling and writing PART 1Physical
Fine motor skills: The art of scribbling and writing PART 1
Key points: Scribbling is a crucial early step in preparing your child for reading and writing. It fosters hand and finger control, thinking skills, a
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
How to develop your child’s pencil grip for better handwritingPhysical
How to develop your child’s pencil grip for better handwriting
Key points: From birth, your child begins developing hand and finger strength, preparing for tasks like drawing and writing. Motor skills progress fro
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
How screen time impacts handwriting skillsPhysical
How screen time impacts handwriting skills
Key points: Fine motor skills are crucial for holding and manipulating objects, which are essential for tasks like writing, buttoning a shirt, and tyi
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
Why hand and finger control are so importantPhysical
Why hand and finger control are so important
Key points: Hand control and finger strength are essential for your child’s development. Fine motor skills, including finger positioning and isolation
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
Developing tiny hands and fingers with blocksPhysical
Developing tiny hands and fingers with blocks
Key points: Help your baby develop hand and finger strength, control, and coordination from an early age. Blocks are a valuable tool for building thes
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
Preparing your home for your crawling baby PART 2Physical
Preparing your home for your crawling baby PART 2
Key points: Childproof your home by addressing furniture with sharp edges and hard corners, especially coffee tables. Secure electrical outlets with s
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
Preparing your home for your crawling baby PART 1Physical
Preparing your home for your crawling baby PART 1
Key points: Ensure constant care and supervision for your moving baby to prevent accidents. Baby-proof your home by securing furniture, anchoring book
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
When should I worry about my baby not crawling?Physical
When should I worry about my baby not crawling?
Key points: Understand that crawling styles can vary, and your baby will choose what’s most rewarding for them. Prior to walking, babies need to pract
Apr 05, 2019 · 4 min read
At what age do babies crawl?Physical
At what age do babies crawl?
Key points: Crawling usually occurs between 8-10 months, but the window for crawling can start around 6 months. Look for early signs like pushups duri
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
The many skills involved in crawlingPhysical
The many skills involved in crawling
Crawling is an important part of your baby’s development. They’re now getting mobile, so prepare to be chasing them around from room to room. In this
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
6 tips to support your baby’s crawling skills Physical
6 tips to support your baby’s crawling skills 
Key points: Encourage tummy time from birth to strengthen neck, shoulder, arm, and leg muscles. Promote reaching for toys as it helps develop essentia
Apr 05, 2019 · 3 min read
Are walkers good or bad for my baby’s development?Physical
Are walkers good or bad for my baby’s development?
Key points: Baby walkers do not help your baby learn to walk and can hinder the walking development. Using a baby walker can lead to delayed muscle co
Apr 04, 2019 · 4 min read
Why is my baby crawling backwards?Physical
Why is my baby crawling backwards?
Key points: Babies may crawl backward before they crawl forward during their learning process. Crawling develops between 6 to 10 months, and not all b
Mar 29, 2019 · 5 min read
Is my baby showing signs that they are ready to crawl?Physical
Is my baby showing signs that they are ready to crawl?
Key points: Babies typically start crawling between 6-10 months, but each child develops at their own pace. Crawling may be more challenging for heavi
Mar 29, 2019 · 3 min read
How do I nurture my child’s physical skills?Physical
How do I nurture my child’s physical skills?
Key points: 1. The development of physical skills is essential in your child’s growth journey, from grasping your finger to playing on the playground.
Mar 26, 2019 · 6 min read
Writing and drawing: What can my little one do at each stage?Physical
Writing and drawing: What can my little one do at each stage?
Key points: 1. Writing and drawing skills develop gradually, starting with random scribbling around 16 months. 2. Controlled scribbling and repetition
Mar 18, 2019 · 3 min read
What is “movement play”?Physical
What is “movement play”?
Key points: 1. Movement play is crucial for early childhood development, impacting physical, linguistic, social-emotional, and cognitive areas. 2. Mov
Aug 08, 2018 · 3 min read
How to foster fine motor skills using scissors?Physical
How to foster fine motor skills using scissors?
Key points: Scissor use develops hand muscles and coordination. Skills needed for scissors include hand separation and hand-eye coordination. Everyday
Apr 18, 2018 · 3 min read
When do babies develop head control?Physical
When do babies develop head control?
Key points: Strengthening neck muscles and achieving head control is crucial for a baby’s physical development. Tummy time is a valuable tool to help
Feb 12, 2018 · 3 min read
When do babies discover their hands?Physical
When do babies discover their hands?
Key points: Babies initially can’t associate what they see with what they touch due to limited hand coordination. Stimulating a baby’s hand coordinati
Feb 06, 2018 · 3 min read
Catching skills and developing coordinationPhysical
Catching skills and developing coordination
Key points: Preschool years are critical for motor skills development. Catching a ball involves cognitive and physical skills. Children progress from
Jan 26, 2018 · 3 min read
How are social skills and walking skills connected?Physical
How are social skills and walking skills connected?
Key points: Developmental skills in early childhood are interdependent, connected, and intertwined. Independent walking is an important milestone for
Jan 11, 2018 · 3 min read
What are the newborn reflexes?Physical
What are the newborn reflexes?
Key Points: Newborn reflexes are innate survival mechanisms that protect infants from harm and indicate the proper functioning of the brain and nervou
Dec 20, 2017 · 6 min read
What are the fine motor skills?Physical
What are the fine motor skills?
Key points: 1. Fine motor skills involve precise hand and finger movements. 2. Progress from reflexive grasping to purposeful object interaction. 3. K
Aug 17, 2017 · 3 min read
When do babies stand up?Physical
When do babies stand up?
Key points: Learning to stand is a significant milestone on the path to a baby’s first steps, requiring muscle strength, coordination, and the ability
Nov 24, 2016 · 4 min read
Why do babies put everything in their mouth?Physical
Why do babies put everything in their mouth?
Key points: 1. Mouthing objects helps babies explore textures and tastes, aiding their development. 2. Babies may mouth objects more during teething,
Aug 03, 2016 · 3 min read
The nature and nurture of motor developmentPhysical
The nature and nurture of motor development
Key points: Gross motor development is more than just movement and leads to a better understanding of the social and physical environment. Gross motor
Jul 13, 2015 · 3 min read

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