Your Baby’s Development—Get Their Motor (Skills) Running!

Your baby was born to be wildly interactive with their world. You’ll start to see it even in their first few months of life as their nervous system and muscles start getting in sync. Their movements will start to evolve from quick and jerky to smooth and self-directed. 

Motor skills are defined by two categories. One is “gross” motor skills, which involve the large groups of muscles used to sit, stand, walk, run, keep balance, or change positions. The other is “fine” motor skills, which control  abilities such as using their hands to eat, draw, play, or pick up small items. 

With simple activities and a little practice, you can help strengthen your baby's muscle development and get their motor skills moving forward at full speed.

By month 4, your baby has the muscle control needed to turn their head and follow objects. Within the first year, they should also develop the ability to balance, sit up, crawl, and eventually pull themselves up and learn to stand on their own. Their fine motor skills will also advance—from clumsily raking objects during the early months to eventually grasping items with accuracy. The general timing for such development is shown below.

Reference: 1. Windows of achievement graph. World Health Organization. Accessed February 3, 2025. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/child-growth/child-growth-standards/indicators/motor-development-milestones/mm_windows_graph.pdf?sfvrsn=ea3a0241_5

You can help your baby develop their gross and fine motor skills—and have fun doing it—by putting the following activity tips into practice:

Under your watchful eye, place your infant on their stomach to strengthen their neck and back muscles. Get their attention by holding a colorful toy and making an interesting noise. At first, "tummy time" sessions can be short—3 to 5 minutes should do it. 

Rolling a large ball to your baby allows you to interact with them and observe their developing skills. At first your baby will simply slap it, but they will eventually learn to swat it back in your direction. 

Put a graspable object (such as a rattle) in your baby's hand and tug on it very gently. This activity helps build muscle as your baby resists your efforts.

Nothing encourages an infant to crawl more than a tower of blocks that is just out of reach and waiting to be knocked down.  

When your baby is 4 to 7 months old, gently pull them to a standing position. By this age range, your baby will start to understand the function of each body part and begin using their feet and legs to bounce up and down with your help. This will help prepare your baby for walking. Modify this activity for a younger baby by using a supported sitting position.

Sometimes life can be a bore on the floor. Excite your little crawler by creating a maze out of light sofa cushions, pillows, or boxes on a carpeted floor. Invite your baby to crawl over or between them. You can even hide behind an obstacle for a game of peek-a-boo. Remember to always closely supervise your baby while they're playing with pillows.

As you begin adding healthy snacks to your baby's diet in the later months of year 1 (and with the approval of your baby’s pediatrician), don’t forget the finger foods. They’re great for fine-motor practice, making each eating experience a fun learning time. Encourage your baby to pick up bites of cereal or soft fruits or vegetables. Show them how to do it and praise every successful snack. 

If you're not sure what kinds of foods to use, speak with your baby’s pediatrician, or the Similac^® Feeding Expert line is available to answer your questions at 1-800-896-8800.