Gross Motor Skills as part of baby development

Movement plays a crucial role in brain function, learning, coordination, communication, and physical performance. Gross motor skills, along with fine motor skills, form the foundation of a baby’s movement abilities. Without movement, babies cannot meet key developmental milestones. Throughout life, movement is essential for strengthening muscles and enhancing brain function. It activates and develops neural connections throughout the body, making the entire body—rather than just the brain—a vital instrument for learning.

Engaging in fun, movement-based activities helps children develop their gross motor skills, improve balance, and enhance their ability to understand spatial orientation and left/right coordination. These activities lay the groundwork for important physical and cognitive skills that will benefit them throughout life.

Ability and skill development:

- • Around 6 months: Babies begin rolling over.

- • Around 9 months: Babies can sit unaided, pivot while seated, attempt crawling, pull themselves up using furniture, and hold two objects at once.

- • Around 12 months: Babies can push themselves from lying to sitting, pull up to stand, lower themselves down, side-step along furniture, crawl quickly, and walk while holding hands.

-• Around 18 months: Babies can walk independently, walk up stairs, push and pull wheeled toys, and pick up toys without losing balance.

These milestones demonstrate the importance of movement in supporting both physical development and the neural wiring needed for learning and coordination.