Physical Health and Motor Development

By 9 months, most children:

• Shift between lying down, sitting, and balancing on their hands and knees
• Crawl

By 18 months, most children:

• Move from one place to another by walking
• Sometimes run instead of walk
• Walk upstairs holding an adult’s hand or crawl upstairs on hands and knees

By 24 months, most children:

• Run sturdily
• Walk up steps with some help
• Walk backwards
• Walk on tiptoes

By 36 months, most children:

• Change direction while walking or running
• Stop suddenly after running (displaying increased coordination and regulation of large muscles)
• Climb upstairs using alternating feet; walk downstairs, placing both feet on one step before approaching each subsequent step down
• Jump forward at least six inches
• Move in, under, and over objects in the environment with ease

By 48 months, most children:

• Run up to a ball and kick it while maintaining balance
• Walk or run around obstacles and corners
• Walk up and down stairs, alternating feet
• Understand the position or orientation of their body to other objects and people

By 60 months, most children:

• Hop forward on one foot without losing balance
• Walk along a beam or edge
• Gallop
• Skip
• Run with control and balance, making quick turns without losing speed and quick stops
• Demonstrate how their body can move forward, backward, left and right
• Demonstrate how their body can move fast or slow