One of the most common questions parents ask is, “Is my baby developing on time?”
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are general milestone ranges that help pediatricians and pediatric physical therapists identify when extra support may be beneficial.
At Back Bay Speech & Occupational Therapy, our pediatric physical therapists evaluate movement, strength, balance, and coordination to help children build confidence and reach developmental milestones.
Typical Gross Motor Milestones
Around 2 Months
- Lifts head during tummy time
- Begins pushing up on forearms
- Moves arms and legs equally
Around 4 Months
- Holds head steady
- Pushes up on hands
- Rolls tummy to back
- Reaches for toys
Around 6 Months
- Rolls both directions
- Sits with support
- Bears weight through legs
- Brings feet to mouth
Around 7–9 Months
- Sits independently
- Crawls or army crawls
- Transitions between sitting and tummy
- Begins pulling to stand
Around 9–12 Months
- Cruises along furniture
- Crawls efficiently
- Pulls to stand independently
- May begin taking first steps
Around 12–15 Months
- Walks independently
- Squats to pick up toys
- Begins climbing
Remember that some babies skip crawling altogether and still develop typically.
When Should Parents Be Concerned?
Consider talking with your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist if your child:
- Strongly favors one side
- Has a persistent head tilt
- Isn’t rolling by about 6 months
- Isn’t sitting independently by around 9 months
- Isn’t pulling to stand by around 12 months
- Isn’t walking independently by around 18 months
- Seems unusually stiff or floppy
- Frequently loses balance compared with peers
Early evaluation doesn’t always mean therapy is needed, but it can provide reassurance or allow intervention before delays become more significant.
How Pediatric Physical Therapy Helps
Our pediatric physical therapists use play to improve:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Strength
- Core stability
- Flexibility
- Symmetrical movement
- Confidence with movement
Parents receive personalized home activities that naturally fit into daily routines.
Why Early Intervention Matters
The earlier movement challenges are identified, the easier they are often to address. Early pediatric physical therapy can improve motor skills while supporting confidence and participation in everyday play.
Pediatric Physical Therapy in Boston
Back Bay Speech & Occupational Therapy proudly offers pediatric physical therapy in Charlestown and throughout Boston, including in-home visits for families who prefer therapy in their child’s natural environment.
If you have questions about your child’s motor milestones, we’re happy to help determine whether an evaluation is appropriate.
Contact Back Bay Speech & Occupational Therapy to schedule a pediatric physical therapy evaluation.
Comments are closed