Your baby is growing fast! Between 6 and 12 months, your little one will learn many new ways to move. This article will help you understand what to expect and how you can help your baby learn these important skills.
What Are Motor Skills?
Motor skills are the movements babies learn to make with their bodies. These include big movements with their arms and legs (gross motor skills) and small, careful movements with their hands and fingers (fine motor skills).
What to Expect at 6-7 Months
Around 6 months, most babies can:
- Sit up with some support
- Roll from tummy to back and back to tummy
- Reach for toys with both hands
- Pass toys from one hand to the other
- Begin to support some weight on their legs when held
“Most babies can sit without support around 6 months of age,” says Dr. Tanya Altmann, a pediatrician and author of “Baby and Toddler Basics.” [1]
What to Expect at 8-9 Months
By 8-9 months, many babies can:
- Sit without help for longer times
- Start to crawl (some babies skip crawling!)
- Pull themselves up to stand while holding furniture
- Pick up small things using their thumb and finger (called the “pincer grasp”)
- Bang toys together
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that “learning to crawl is an important milestone that helps babies gain independence and explore their world.” [2]
What to Expect at 10-12 Months
By their first birthday, many babies can:
- Pull up to stand by themselves
- Walk while holding onto furniture (“cruising”)
- Maybe take their first steps alone
- Stack blocks or cups
- Put objects into containers and take them out
- Feed themselves small bits of food
According to the CDC, “About half of babies walk by one year, but walking as late as 18 months can still be normal.” [3]
How to Help Your Baby Develop Motor Skills
You can help your baby learn new movements! Try these ideas:
- Give your baby tummy time every day
- Provide safe places to practice sitting, crawling, and standing
- Offer toys of different sizes, shapes, and textures
- Play games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
- Put toys just out of reach to encourage movement
- Celebrate each new skill your baby learns!
When to Talk to Your Doctor
All babies grow at their own pace. Some learn skills quickly, while others take more time. Talk to your doctor if your baby:
- Cannot sit without help by 9 months
- Does not crawl or scoot in any way by 12 months
- Cannot stand when supported by 12 months
- Does not use both hands equally
- Seems to favor one side of the body
Remember, every baby develops at their own speed. Enjoy watching your little one grow and learn!
Sources:
- Altmann, T. (2023). Baby and Toddler Basics. American Academy of Pediatrics.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Developmental Milestones: 7-12 Months. HealthyChildren.org.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Important Milestones: Your Baby By One Year. CDC.gov.
