At this stage, infants will begin to strengthen their muscles and coordination. Common milestones include: 

• Hands begin to open from a fisted position. 

• Lifting their head slightly during tummy time. 

• Moving arms and legs off surfaces when excited. 

• Tracking toys or faces by turning their head side to side. 

• Bringing their hands to their mouth for comfort or exploration. 

Building on their early strength, babies will start to develop more active movements, such as: 

• Rolling from stomach to back and vice versa. 

• Sitting with light support or propped hands. 

• Reaching for toys with both hands when lying on their back. 

• Bearing weight on their legs when supported in a standing position. 

• Pushing up onto their elbows and lifting their head during tummy time.

During this phase, children often begin exploring their environment with greater independence. Key milestones include: 

• Sitting without assistance or support. 

• Transitioning to a sitting position from lying on their stomach or back. 

• Reaching for toys without falling over while sitting. 

• Starting to crawl on hands and knees. 

• Pushing up to their palms with outstretched elbows during tummy time. 

• Pivoting on their tummy to reach toys around them. 

Toddlers begin mastering mobility, setting the stage for walking. Look out for signs like: 

• Crawling longer distances on hands and knees. 

• Pulling themselves up to a standing position using stable objects. 

• Cruising along furniture for support. 

• Standing independently for short moments. 

• Taking first steps, with or without a little help.

This period is all about refining walking and movement skills. Milestones include: 

• Walking longer distances without support, with occasional falls. 

• Walking on uneven surfaces without assistance. 

• Side-stepping and taking backward steps independently. 

• Going up and down steps while holding someone’s hand. 

• Squatting to pick up objects from the floor.

Children become more coordinated and confident in their movements as they grow. Key developments include: 

• Moving in and out of different positions while playing. 

• Walking with a proper heel-to-toe stride. 

• Walking comfortably on uneven surfaces. 

• Climbing steps while holding a wall or handrail. 

• Beginning to jump or hop in place. 

• Walking faster and starting to run steadily.

Toddlers develop strength and coordination that aids more advanced tasks, such as: 

• Running with ease to play with peers. 

• Jumping and pushing off with both feet simultaneously. 

• Maintaining balance while throwing, catching, or kicking a ball. 

• Standing on one leg briefly without assistance. 

• Gaining independence by climbing playground equipment.

Preschoolers display greater control, agility, and confidence in their physical activities, including skills like: 

• Jumping forward longer distances or down from higher surfaces without losing balance. 

• Hopping on one foot without putting the opposite foot down. 

• Galloping and skipping. 

• Accurately throwing, catching, and kicking balls.