Early Motor Milestones: What to Expect in Your Child 0-6 Months

First published May 2014
Updated April 2026

Becoming a parent is so exciting; we read books, talk with our friends, and do as much research as possible to keep our bundles of joy safe, happy and healthy.

But do you really understand how important movement is and when, or how, your baby should start moving?

Here’s some insight from a parent — and a pediatric physical therapist.

Zero to Three Months

Your baby’s movements may seem small, but they are so important. In those early days, your baby will often stay curled up in a little ball, with their head turned to one side and arms and legs tucked in. You might notice what looks like random stretches—these are perfectly normal! When your baby is on their belly, their cheek may rest on the floor, arms out to the side, and bottom up in the air. As they get closer to three months, you’ll start to see more control, like turning their head from one side to another and even extending their head off the support surface for short periods of time. Tummy time is key during this stage. Try to place your baby on their belly for short periods throughout the day while they’re awake and you are with them. This helps to build the foundation for strength, coordination, and all the exciting movement milestones ahead.

Three and Four Months

At this stage, your baby becomes more alert and aware of the world around them. You’ll start to see more purposeful movement, with arms and legs moving with better symmetry and intention. Your baby may begin reaching for toys, playing with their clothes, and exploring their hands. Head control improves significantly, and they’ll be able to hold their head up with less effort. During tummy time, your baby can now lift their head and look around, even supporting some of their weight through their arms. Keep encouraging tummy time as much as possible—this is where so much early play and strengthening happens! When sitting, your baby will still need support. You may notice a rounded back, and that’s completely typical as their muscles continue to get stronger.

Five and Six Months

By now, your baby’s head control has improved, and they can hold their head against gravity while sitting with support and look around with curiosity. When lying on their back, your baby may start playing with their feet—grabbing them, bringing them to their mouth, or even banging them together (which is adorable but also important for development). You may also see them roll from side to side and even play while lying on their side. During tummy time, your baby is becoming more active, reaching for toys and sometimes even pivoting in a circle to get objects nearby. If you ever feel like your baby seems “stuck”, isn’t interested in moving, or prefers staying in one position, it’s always okay to ask questions. Talk with your pediatrician about whether a referral to physical therapy might be helpful to support your baby’s gross motor development.