Watching your baby grow and discover the world around them is one of the most exciting parts of parenting. Each little wiggle, roll, and step marks big progress in your child’s development. But with so many changes happening in just a few months, it’s easy to wonder if your baby is achieving the skills they should be. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through the key physical milestones for your baby’s first three years. Find out what to expect, what’s typical for your baby’s age, and when to reach out to our pediatric therapists for extra support.

What Are Developmental Milestones?

Developmental milestones are the abilities that children achieve as they grow, usually in a predictable order and by specific ages. These milestones help track your child’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. The age ranges for each milestone are based on averages, so it’s completely normal for some children to reach milestones a little earlier or later than others.

Movement milestones, like crawling or walking, are especially important because they reflect how your child’s physical skills are developing (e.g., balance and coordination). Every child is unique, but the milestones give you a helpful way to monitor your child’s progress and spot signs that they might need a little extra support.

Your Baby’s Movement Milestones from Birth to 12 Months

During your baby’s first year, you’ll start to see big changes in how they move and interact with their surroundings. Here are some important movement milestones to look for:

  • Rolling Over: Most babies start rolling over from front to back around 4–6 months, and back to front shortly after that. This is one of the first signs of growing muscle control and mobility.
  • Sitting Up: Around 6–8 months, many babies can sit up without needing support from pillows or blankets. This milestone helps them explore toys and interact more with the world around them.
  • Crawling: Babies usually start crawling at around 7–10 months. It’s a key step in building their coordination, strength, and independence.
  • Standing Up: Around 9–12 months, babies may begin using furniture to pull themselves into a standing position to get ready for their first steps!
  • Walking with Assistance: By the end of their first year, many babies take early steps while holding onto a couch or parent’s hands for balance.

Your Baby’s Movement Milestones from 12 Months to 36 Months

After your baby’s first birthday, their physical skills will grow quickly. Here are some major milestones to look for between ages 1 and 3 years:

  • Emerging Walking: While some toddlers start to walk as early as 12 months, others take a little more time. Most children are walking independently by 17 months.
  • Walking Up Stairs with Help: Around age 2, toddlers can often walk up stairs while holding onto a wall or railing.
  • Walking Down Stairs with Help: Going down the stairs is trickier! Most children can walk down the stairs around age 2 with a helping hand from a parent or caregiver. 
  • Walking Up and Down Stairs Independently: By 2.5 to 3 years, many children can walk up and down the stairs without extra support and take one step at a time.
  • More Advanced Movement: Around 2.5 years, children will start jumping, standing on one foot, and can even walk on a balance beam. These more advanced skills show off their improved balance, strength, and coordination.

When Should You Be Concerned About a Developmental Delay?

Every child develops at their own pace, and it’s normal for there to be some variation in when your baby will reach their milestones. But if you’re worried that your baby seems to be falling behind other children their age, or if you have any other concerns about their movement, you should reach out to our experts.

At Let’s Communicate, we’re here to help you understand your child’s development and provide expert guidance. If you have any concerns about your child’s movement or motor skills, give us a call at (678) 963-0694 to schedule an evaluation. We’ll work with you to build the right plan to help your child grow with confidence!