Delayed Motor Milestones in Children | Early Signs, Causes & Therapy

✅ How to Use This Checklist

• This list reflects typical age ranges—some children may achieve skills slightly earlier or later.
• If your child consistently misses multiple milestones or regresses, it’s a good idea to talk with your pediatrician and connect with a pediatric therapist.
• This checklist is not a diagnostic tool, but it helps identify when early intervention may be beneficial.

👶 Birth to 3 Months

❑ Lifts head briefly during tummy time

❑ Moves arms and legs smoothly

❑ Opens and closes hands

❑ Brings hands to mouth

❑ Turns head toward sounds

❑ Grasps finger placed in palm

👶 4 to 6 Months

❑ Pushes up on elbows during tummy time

❑ Rolls from tummy to back and vice versa

❑ Holds head steady without support

❑ Reaches for and grasps toys

❑ Begins to sit with support

❑ Brings hands together to play

👶 7 to 9 Months

❑ Sits without support

❑ Moves from tummy to sitting position

❑ Bears weight on legs when held upright

❑ Transfers toys between hands

❑ Begins to crawl or scoot

❑ Uses raking grasp to pick up small items

👶 10 to 12 Months

❑ Pulls to stand

❑ Cruises along furniture

❑ Stands for a few seconds without support

❑ Picks up small objects with thumb and finger (pincer grasp)

❑ Points with index finger

❑ May take a few independent steps

🧒 13 to 18 Months

❑ Walks independently

❑ Squats to pick up toys and stands back up

❑ Climbs onto low furniture

❑ Stacks two or more blocks

❑ Begins to run

❑ Begins to feed self with fingers and utensils

🧒 19 to 24 Months

❑ Kicks a ball

❑ Begins jumping in place

❑ Walks up and down stairs with support

❑ Scribbles with crayon or marker

❑ Uses both hands to play with toys

❑ Drinks from a cup independently

🧒 2 to 3 Years

❑ Runs with coordination

❑ Throws a ball overhand

❑ Jumps off low step or curb

❑ Pedals tricycle or ride-on toy (by ~3 years)

❑ Builds tower of 6+ blocks

❑ Turns pages in a book

❑ Uses spoon and fork with increasing skill

❑ Dresses with some assistance

📝 When to Talk to a Pediatric Therapist:

• Milestones are significantly delayed
• Your child avoids using one side of the body
• Poor balance, clumsiness, or frequent falls
• Difficulty with feeding, chewing, or drinking
• Your child is not progressing for 2+ months
• You feel concerned, even if others say “wait and see”

🔎 Ready to Find Support?

Explore our Therapist Directory to connect with:

🧍 Pediatric Physical Therapists for movement, walking, coordination

✋ Pediatric Occupational Therapists for fine motor skills, feeding, and sensory needs

🗣️ Pediatric Speech Therapists for oral-motor development and early communication

📍 [Find a Pediatric Therapist Near You →]