Pediatrics > Gross Motor Delay
 Gross Motor Delay
How do I know if my child has a gross motor delay?
Motor delays in children are recognized when the child has a 25-30% delay in
one area of typical development, such as gross motor.
Normal Gross Motor Skills:
- 2 months: holds head up when supported upright, lifts head off ground when on belly
- 3-4 months: grasps a toy, starting to roll (belly to back), no head lag with pull to sit, props onto forearms when on belly
- 5-6 months: Rolling freely, props onto extended arms on belly, sits alone, plays n belly, reaches for toy with control
- 7-9 months: Starts to get to hands and knees, moves from sit to belly, plays in all positions, pulls to stand; may start to crawl
- 10-12 months: uses variety of sitting positions, releases objects, crawling, cruising along furniture, recovers balance in sitting; may walk with hands held, stand alone, or begin to take steps
- 13-15 months: Walking, picks up toys from floor and returns to standing alone, creeps up/down stairs, rolls a ball
- 15-18 months: begins to walk up/down stairs, walks quickly, attempts to kick ball, throws a ball
- 18-24 months: Runs, jumps, walking up/down stairs with a rail/hand held
- 24-36 months: Stands from seated position, jumps from a low step, kicks a ball, up/down stairs alone, climbs, walks on tip-toes
- Age 3: Alternates feet when climbing stairs, walks a straight line, throw/catch with one hand, rides tricycle
- Age 4: Jumps with 2 feet, hops on 1 foot, stands on one leg, gallops
- Age 5: Jumps rope, skips, long jumps, throws overhand
- Age 6+: Plays sports, other skills continue to improve
If your child has difficulty in 2 or more of the age appropriate skills, he/she may benefit from skilled physical therapy.
What will Physical Therapy do to help my child?
- Teach you exercises and activities to help strengthen weakened muscles and encourage a variety of movement patterns
- Provide hands-on techniques to improve range of motion, posture, and movement
- Use handling-techniques to facilitate age appropriate motor skill acquisition
- Provide a home program to assure carryover
Ask your pediatrician/doctor about a referral to Physical Therapy.
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