{"h1":"If a child isn't yet showing gross motor skills","faq":[{"a":"Most children walk between 12 and 18 months, but the range is wide. If a child isn't walking by 18 months, or isn't pulling to stand by 12 months, a calm developmental check is wise — not as a diagnosis, but so support can start early if needed.","q":"At what age should a child be walking?"},{"a":"Yes. Some children crawl, some bottom-shuffle, and a few skip crawling altogether. What matters more is steady progress in moving, sitting and standing. If there's no way of getting around by about 12 months, mention it to a clinician.","q":"Is it normal for children to crawl at different ages?"},{"a":"Many children simply move at their own pace and do catch up. But because early movement supports play and learning, a gentle clinician's look is the safest way to tell whether a child needs a little extra support or just more time.","q":"Will my child catch up on their own?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-gross-motor","title":"Gross motor concerns: what a caregiver should do","entity":{"key":"gross-motor","kind":"skill","name":"gross motor","slug":"gross-motor"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Caregiver","value":"caregiver"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Motor","value":"motor"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Concern","value":"concern"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Book-Assessment","value":"book-assessment"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"skills","label":"Skills"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-motor-skills","title":"What to do when a child isn't yet showing motor skills"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-gross-motor","title":"What does it mean if my child is not yet showing gross motor?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"during-a-home-visit-what-should-a-frontline-worker-observe-about-a-child-learning-to-gross-motor","title":"Observing Gross Motor on a Home Visit"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-physical-gross-motor","title":"What to do if a child isn't showing gross motor skills"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-physical-gross-motor","title":"What does it mean if my child is not yet showing gross motor skills?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-mobility","title":"Caregiver guide: when a child is not yet showing mobility"}],"summary":"Gross motor skills are big movements like sitting, crawling and walking. If a child isn't showing the movements expected for their age, arrange a calm developmental check rather than waiting. Watch for not steadying the head by ~4 months, not sitting independently by 9 months, not crawling by ~12 months, or not walking by 18 months, plus very stiff or floppy muscles or loss of a skill. This is not a diagnosis — early support works best.","answer_md":"*Every child finds their feet on their own timeline — noticing where your little one is right now is loving, attentive caregiving.*\n\n## In short\nGross motor skills are the big movements — holding the head up, rolling, sitting, crawling, pulling to stand and walking. If a child in your care isn't yet showing the movements you'd expect for their age, the kindest, most useful step is a calm developmental check rather than waiting and worrying. This isn't a diagnosis — children develop at different paces, and an early, gentle look turns small questions into early opportunities, where support works beautifully.\n\n## What to watch\nGross motor (ICF domain d4) unfolds in a broad but recognisable sequence. Gentle flags that deserve a clinician's eye:\n\n- **Head control** — not steadying the head by around 4 months.\n- **Sitting** — not sitting with support by 6–7 months, or independently by 9 months.\n- **Moving** — no crawling, scooting or bottom-shuffling by around 10–12 months.\n- **Standing and walking** — not pulling to stand by 12 months, or not walking by 18 months.\n- **Other signs** — very stiff or very floppy muscles, strongly favouring one side, or losing a movement once gained.\n\nTrust what you notice every day — that observation is valuable information for a clinician.\n\n## The science\nGross motor progress reflects how the brain, muscles and balance systems work together. Movement is also the foundation for play, exploration and learning, which is why an early, supportive look matters. Floor time, tummy time, reaching games and safe space to move all help — but if milestones are clearly behind, a structured review is the right next step.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nA clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our clinicians watch how a child moves, sits and balances, and build support around play. Learn more about [gross motor](/gross-motor) development and how our [physiotherapy](/physiotherapy) team helps build strength, balance and confidence.\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICF framework (domain d4, mobility); CDC developmental milestones and \"Learn the Signs, Act Early\"; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) guidance on motor development and monitoring.\n\n**Next step —** Trust what you've noticed. [Book a developmental assessment](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of the child's movement and milestones.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-gross-motor","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-gross-motor","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"skills","label":"Skills"}],"meta_title":"Gross Motor Delay: A Caregiver's Next Steps","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Make daily floor and tummy time playful — place a favourite toy just out of reach to invite reaching, rolling and crawling. Note in a phone diary which movements you see and when, so a clinician has a clear picture.","published_at":"2026-06-10T11:30:00.197931+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-physical-gross-motor","title":"What to do if a child isn't showing gross motor skills","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-motor-skills","title":"What to do when a child isn't yet showing motor skills","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-mobility","title":"Caregiver guide: when a child is not yet showing mobility","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-physical-gross-motor","title":"What does it mean if my child is not yet showing gross motor 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an amber zone for gross motor mean?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-gross-motor-what-does-that-mean","title":"Green Zone for Gross Motor — What It Means","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-gross-motor-what-does-that-mean","title":"What a red zone for gross motor means","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Understand assessment","total":4},{"key":"therapy","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-therapist-what-techniques-help-a-child-develop-the-ability-to-gross-motor","title":"Therapist techniques to develop gross motor skills","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-gross-motor","title":"How can a teacher support a child working on gross motor?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-gross-motor","title":"How can a teacher support a student still learning gross motor skills?","reason":"Same 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home & in everyday life","total":3}],"what_to_watch":"Seek a check if a child isn't steadying the head by ~4 months, sitting independently by 9 months, crawling or moving by ~12 months, or walking by 18 months. Also watch for very stiff or very floppy muscles, strongly favouring one side, or losing a movement once gained.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC developmental milestones & Learn the Signs, Act Early"},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"AAP guidance on motor development (healthychildren.org)"},{"url":"https://icd.who.int","label":"WHO ICF mobility domain (d4)"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T11:30:00.197931+00:00","meta_description":"Worried a child isn't sitting, crawling or walking on time? Gentle signs to watch, the science of gross motor, and when to arrange a developmental check.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}