Is My Kid on Track? A Practical Guide to Physical Development Milestones

Celebrating your kid’s milestones is one of the joys of parenting —first steps, first words, first belly laughs. But let’s be honest: those highs can sometimes be tinged with anxiety. Maybe your first kid was crawling by 6 months, but your second? Still stationary at 9 months. Cue the internal spiral: Is this normal? Should I be worried?

If you’ve ever searched online: “How do I know if my child has developmental issues?” or “What if my child is not meeting physical milestones?”—you’re in good company.

While every child develops at their own pace, it’s handy to know the usual milestone timelines. This guide breaks them down for you and also answers common questions like “How is children's progress tracked?” and “What does developmentally on track mean?” So you can stop guessing and start feeling confident.

Understanding Physical Development in Children

How do you know if your child is on track? And what does “normal” development even mean? (Spoiler: Spoiler: there’s a wide range—and “normal” isn’t one-size-fits-all).

In general, kids reach physical milestones at their own pace—but there are typical windows that give you a helpful baseline.

What Counts as a Physical Milestone

Physical development relates to how your child’s brain and body connect to control movements. But remember, just like your kid has their own personality, their pace of development is unique too. Some walk at 10 months, others at 18 months—both are perfectly fine.

Motor Skills

Motor skills are an important area of development for your child. The term describes your child’s ability to make coordinated muscle movements, which helps them perform everyday tasks. In other words, motor skills = movement skills. And there are two main types: gross motor skills and fine motor skills.

Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills, which involve the bigger muscles in the body, help your child learn balance and coordination. They include:

• Lifting their head
• Crawling
• Sitting
• Learning to walk
• Reaching out for a toy

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are all about small, precise movements. Think hand-eye coordination or being able to use a pencil or button up a shirt. Here are some you’ll recognize:

• Clapping
• Pinching objects between thumb and finger
• Holding a bottle
• Playing with the fingers
• Holding a pencil

When To Check-In With Your Pediatrician

Most delays aren’t cause for panic, but here’s a general guide for when to ask your pediatrician:

By 2 months

• Can’t hold their head up when they’re lying on their tummy
• Doesn’t watch moving objects

By 4 months

• Can’t hold their head steady

By 6 months

• Doesn’t try to grasp objects
• Can’t roll over

By 9 months

• Doesn’t sit with support
• Doesn’t exchange toys from one hand to the other

By 12 months

• Doesn’t crawl
• Doesn’t point to things or use any gestures (like waving)

For older children

Has difficulty:

• Walking unaided by 18 months
• Walking steadily by 2 years
• Climbing stairs by 3 years
• Scribbling by 4 years
• Brushing teeth without help by 5 years

These are just a few examples of delayed milestones. If you have specific concerns, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician.

Key Physical Milestones by Age

While every child develops at their own pace, in general, you can expect to see certain physical milestones around certain ages. Let’s break them down—one growth spurt at a time.

Infancy (0-12 Months): From Tummy Time to Tiny Steps

That first year? It’s like watching your baby go from potato to person at lightning speed. Here's what usually unfolds:

• 2 months: Holds head up when on their tummy
• 4 months: Holds a toy when you put it in their hand (and probably tries to eat it)
• 6 months: Rolls from their tummy onto their back
• 9 months: Grasps small objects using a pincer movement
• 12 months: Takes first steps unaided (cue the happy tears)

Toddlerhood (1-3 years): Chaos, Climbing, and Coordination

This is the era of running, wobbling, and wild independence:

• 12-15 months: Stoops down to pick something up (usually something gross)
• 15 months: Feeds themselves using fingers; climbs on and off a chair without help
• 18 months: Drinks from a cup without a lid (and spills it half the time)
• 18 months+: Progresses from walking to running (everywhere, always)
• 1-2 years: Gains 4-5 lbs/year and grows approximately 2-3 inches/year

Preschool and Early School Age (4-6 Years): Pencil Grips & Playground Glory

Your kid develops expert skills at this age, helping them thrive at school and home. In most cases, by the time your child is 6, they can:

• Holds a pencil with control (ish)
• Draws, writes, and pours without major spills
• Skips, hops, and jumps without toppling over
• Unbuttons buttons solo
• Kicks a ball like they mean it

Physical development milestones include:

• By age 5, most children achieve 20/20 vision
• Around 6, most kids will develop their first adult teeth

Later Childhood (7-12 Years): Strength, Skills & Bigger Leaps

During later childhood, kids develop more complex skills as they head toward greater independence. Here are the key milestones to watch for:

Riding a Bike

Typical age: 5-7 years old
When to be concerned: If a child hasn't learned by age 9 and struggles with balance, coordination, or shows fear that interferes with gross motor activities.

Tying Shoelaces

Typical age: Early elementary years
When to be concerned: If a child isn't able to tie shoelaces by age 8 and struggles with other fine motor skills like buttoning shirts or using a pencil correctly.

Independent Dressing and Grooming

Typical age: 6-7 years old
When to be concerned: If by age 7-8, a child still requires regular assistance with dressing or grooming tasks they've been shown multiple times.

Physical Development

Typical age for puberty onset:

• Girls: 8-13 years old
• Boys: 9-14 years old

What Parents Can Do to Support Physical Development

Watching your baby go from potato to pint-sized powerhouse? It’s a wild ride—and yes, totally normal to tear up over a first step and panic when they haven’t mastered scissors yet. Deep breaths.

You don’t need a PhD in child development to support your kid’s growth. Just a few well-timed nudges and some room to move. Here’s how to boost those motor skills without turning into a milestone micromanager:

Infant (0-12 months):

• Tummy time is their gym time. Do it daily.
• Give them space to roll, reach, and crawl.
• Give them soft, grabbable toys to boost grip and coordination.
• When they’re ready, support standing and walking.

Toddlerhood (1-3 years):

• Encourage them to walk, climb, and dance (who doesn’t love a good dance party?).
• Stack blocks and cheer them on.
• Say yes to self-feeding—it’s messy but motor-building.
• Visit playgrounds that match their energy level (and yours).

Preschool (3-5 years):

• Break out the scissors, crayons, and craft supplies for fine motor work.
• Play games that involve hopping, skipping, and jumping.
• Encourage them to do their own zippers and buttons.
• Try beginner swim, dance, or tumbling classes.

Early School Age (6-9 years):

• Give regular access to sports, riding bikes, or martial arts
• Incorporate chores like sweeping or gardening (sneaky strength-building)
• Encourage team games for endurance and coordination
• Support handwriting and drawing to boost fine motor precision
• Model movement: go on walks, dance while cleaning, play tag.

 Later Childhood (10-12 years):

•  Organized sports and clubs build skill and confidence.
•  Keep sleep, hydration, and nutrition on point—growth depends on it.
• Give them independence with hygiene and routines—it builds coordination and trust.

Remember, exercise doesn’t have to be structured—Set time aside for activities with your kid and encourage outside play (think: hopscotch, skipping, and tag). Every type of movement supports those developmental goals!

When to Talk To Your Doctor

While many kids reach their milestones without issues, you may want to check in with a pediatrician if:

• Your child seems months behind their peers.
• They struggle with basic tasks.
• They forgot the skills they learned earlier.
• You feel they’re not developing emotionally.
• They have a complex medical condition that may affect their development.

Your pediatrician can answer any concerns or questions, like “Can kids with developmental delays catch up?” Remember: everyone is unique, so get an expert’s view on your child’s particular circumstances.

Final Thoughts: Every Kid Develops at Their Own Pace

The main takeaway? Development looks different for every kid, and that’s exactly how it should be. Some kids hit milestones right on time, while others develop at their own pace.

Encourage them to gain skills and independence and always trust your instincts. If you have any concerns about your child’s progress, reach out for help from a medical professional.