What is motor development?
Motor development in your child includes both automatic and conscious movements and reflexes. A reflex is a specific stimulus that triggers an automatic response in your baby, such as the sucking reflex or grasp reflex. Automatic movements are learned behaviors. Your child has to make an effort, repeat, and practice frequently so that it becomes an automatic movement. For example, your child must learn to crawl and sit up straight before they can walk. Examples of conscious movements are grabbing a toy or opening and closing the door. Watch out for your fingers!
This process continues throughout your child's life as they constantly learn new things, such as riding a bike, diving, or playing soccer.
When does your baby start developing?
Even before your little one is born, you’re already helping them develop their motor skills. As you move, your baby also moves. When you exercise, you're also stimulating your baby's motor development. In addition, your baby's vestibular system receives impulses that help to develop even more. Remember, exercising during pregnancy is beneficial, but it's important not to push your body to its limits. Your baby also needs energy from you to grow and develop.
When does what happen?
In the chart below, you can see when your child (developmental speed can vary from child to child) enters each phase in terms of their motor development.
- From 2-3 months: Turning from back to side
- From 3-4 months: Rolling onto stomach
- From 3-4 months: Rolling onto stomach and back
- From 6 months: Rolling over
- From 7-8 months: Crawling on stomach
- From 8-9 months: Moving into half-sitting position
- From 9-10 months: Sitting up
- From 10-11 months: Playing while sitting
- From 12-13 months: Sitting on a small chair
- From 8-9 months: Crawling on hands and knees
- From 9-10 months: Kneeling
- From 9-10 months: Standing up (holding onto something)
- From 10-11 months: First few steps (holding onto something)
- From 12-13 months: Standing independently
- From 12-13 months: First independent steps
- From 13-14 months: Walking on their own
- From 15-18 months: Climbing stairs using a step-by method
- From 24-27 months: Climbing stairs, just like an adult (almost)
Which exercises can we do?
At our daycare, we have a special movement program to help babies with their motor skills. Here are some examples of exercises you can also do at home with your child. You can always ask our pedagogical staff for more tips as well.
- Give your baby one of your index fingers in each hand. When they hold onto them firmly, gently pull them up a little. Keeping a good grip on their hands so they don’t fall backward. Slowly, you’ll see them lift their head and try to pull themselves up. This is great for strengthening the neck muscles.
- Almost every household has a duster. Lay your baby on their back and let them follow the duster (a feather also works), encouraging them to try rolling onto their side. Practice this a few times, and before you know it, they’ll be rolling onto their stomach.
- If your baby starts crawling towards a toy, help them by pushing your hands against their soles. This helps them move forward more easily and raise their bottom. After some practice, they’ll get on their hands and knees and are ready to crawl.