Gross Motor Gross motor skills are fundamental for toddlers' physical abilities. As their muscles strengthen, they achieve various milestones like standing, walking, climbing, and more. Encouraging active play, like dancing, kicking balls, or going to the playground, helps improve these skills. It's amazing to watch toddlers progress from wobbly steps to confident running and jumping!

Between the ages of 12–18 months, your toddler should:

• Start walking independently
• Attempt to run, or runs with stiff posture
• Squat down to pick something up
• Crawl up stairs and creep back down
• Step on stationary ball when trying to kick the ball
• Seat self on small chair
• Pull a toy behind themselves while walking
• Throw underhand when sitting

Between the ages of 18 months – 2 years, your toddler should:

• Walk up and down the stairs while holding your hand
• Run fairly well
• Jump with feet together, clearing the floor
• Jump down and forwards
• Squat to play
• Stand on tiptoe with support
• Start to use ride-on toys
• Throw a ball into a box
• Kick a ball forwards

Between the ages of 2 – 2 ½ years, your toddler should:

• Stand on tiptoes if shown first
• Jump from bottom step
• Begin to ride a tricycle, moving forward with feet on the floor
• Stand on balance beam with 2 feet and attempt to step forward
• Catch a large ball with arms straight out

Between the ages of 2 ½ - 3 years, your toddler should:

• Stand on 1 foot momentarily
• Walk up the stairs alone with alternating feet
• Walk downstairs with 2 feet on same step
• Walk on tiptoe
• Start riding a tricycle using the pedals
• Catch a ball with arms bent
• Kick a ball forwards

Red Flags for Gross Motor Development (1–5 years)

If you notice or are concerned about some of the following things about your child, you may want to talk to your physician or another health professional.

• Child is not meeting developmental milestones
• Child walks on his/her toes all the time
• Child is excessively clumsy
• Something appears wrong with child’s legs and/or feet
• Child complains of persistent pain or fatigue
• Child’s skills are regressing

If you have concerns about your child, please feel free to contact us to speak to a professional. You can also make a referral to our program at anytime.