Let’s be honest. How many of us have worried that our kids aren’t developing normally? What if they don’t start crawling when other babies are crawling around so fast their moms can hardly keep up with them? What about walking? What age do they start walking? When can they start putting on their clothes? If you’re looking for a baseline–just to make sure your kid is doing alright–then we’ve got you! Just remember though, that not all babies and kids develop motor skills at the same rate, and this is not a predictor of your kids’ future skills either.

If you need a quick recap, here’s a brief description of some of the different kinds of motor skills:

1. Gross motor skills – The ability required to control the large movements of the arms, legs, and feet, or the whole body (e.g. running, jumping, climbing, throwing, etc.)

2. Fine motor skills – The ability required to control the smaller movements of the hands and fingers (e.g. picking up small objects, tying one’s shoes, etc.)

3. Non-locomotor skills – The ability required to move parts of the body without traveling from one place to another (e.g. bending, stretching, twisting, turning, etc.)

Sources:

• Case-Smith, J. (2005). Occupational therapy for children (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
• Macintyre, C., & McVitty, K. (Eds.). (2004). Movement and learning in the early years: Supporting dyspraxia (DCD) and other difficulties. London: Paul Chapman.
• Steinberg, L., Bornstein, M. H., Vandell, D. L., & Rock, K. S. (2011). Lifespan Development: Infancy Through Adulthood. (International ed., pp. 107-110, 192-195, 264-269). USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.