Motor Development: Monthly Evaluation Of Infants

Motor development in babies is usually rudimentary in the beginning, but it becomes more conscious and sophisticated as time goes on. During the first year of an infant’s life, daily changes occur.

It is clear that each child has their own rhythm. However, the milestones in motor development that we present below can be a great tool for assessing your infant as they grow, and it will help you decide if there is anything you need to help with.

Motor development: The first year

A baby’s motor development is a very important indicator of possible problems in the infant’s brain. In addition, this ability includes gross motor skills (arm and leg movements) and fine motor skills (hand-eye coordination).

That said, those who spend more time caring for a baby can better take note of the milestones that the baby achieves in its motor development. If your toddler is at this stage, it may be a good idea to take notes or keep a journal.

We will now look at what we can expect in terms of motor skills in the first months of your baby’s life.

Motor development: Month 1

In the beginning, the infant’s arms and legs are bent when lying on their backs. However, when lying on their stomachs, they can “undergo” movements and even lift their head for a few seconds.

At this point, their head will fall back if you set them up.

Meanwhile, their hands will remain tied most of the time with the thumb inside the rest of the fingers. When someone touches the palm of their hand, they grab the foreign hand or object.

Development of motor skills: Month 2

At this stage of development, the baby can hold its head up and try to lift their body when they are in a supine position.

They will also move their legs and arms more gently when they are on their backs.

Their hands will be able to stay open longer.

Development of motor skills: Month 3

During the third month , most babies can lie on their stomachs and rest on their forearms while raising their heads about 45 to 90 degrees. Their thighs are now stretched.

When lying on their backs, they can look at their body parts and grab with their hands and test their heels on a surface.

When you hold them to sit, your back will be straight.

Meanwhile, they grab and shake everything you put in their hands, keeping their hands open longer.

Motor development: Month 4

Now the baby can hold his head up without support. They are also able to push themselves up with their legs when their feet are on a solid surface.

After month four, most babies can reach and touch any toy that hangs over them. They also take their hands in their mouths.

When the infant is lying on its stomach, they can roll around and lie on their backs. Likewise, they lift their body when lying on their stomach and resting on their elbows.

Motor development: Month 5

At this stage of development , a baby can rest on their hands and raise their upper body almost completely.

When lying on their backs, they can move their legs in cycling movements.

Now they can be held in their arms to sit down and actively participate in it. When you hold them under the armpits and stand with them, they can support themselves on their feet and push off from a solid surface.

Now they can grab objects with their hands as desired. In addition, they can exchange objects from one hand to the other.

Motor development: Month 6

In the 6th month, babies can roll to both sides while lying down and can turn on their backs or on their stomachs.

They can also start sitting without support for a few seconds. When standing up, they can support on their feet and try to jump. When in a crawling position, the child will move back and forth and even try to crawl.

Moreover, they may now be able to hold an object in each hand and put everything into their mouth.

Motor development: Month 7

Usually, when lying on their backs at this point, babies grab their feet and try to suck on their toes.

They can now sit without support and are able to reach their hands rather than support themselves or to grab objects.

Similarly, they actively jump when held up under the armpits.

At this point, they can exchange objects from one hand to the other. Similarly, they are able to hold an object between their thumb and forefinger. They can drop and throw objects as desired.

Development of motor skills: Month 8

This month, the baby can sit alone and without support. They can also rotate and even get into the crawling position.

Here they begin to enjoy playing with throwing objects. Similarly, once they have an object in each hand and you offer them another, they can drop what they have in hand to take the new one.

In addition, they can start munching on food without help while holding it with their hands.

Development of motor skills: Month 9

During month number 9, the baby will get up while holding on to something.

When placed in a crawling position, they can also move around effectively. Some may crawl.

They can now grab objects between the index finger and the thumb. Similarly, they are able to reach out and give items to their parents.

Now they want to start testing the strengths and musicality of the objects by hitting them into each other.

Motor development: Month 10

Now the baby is a pro at crawling and can support himself perfectly on hands and knees. They probably like to get up and try to walk by holding on and relying on anything that makes them feel stable.

They are also able to grab a drinking cup and drink its contents alone. Likewise, they can now hold objects between the tips of the index finger and thumb. They are even now able to take objects out of a box and put them back in.

Development of motor skills: Month 11

In the 11th month, infants begin to crawl only by supporting themselves on their hands and feet. Then they can take their first steps while supporting themselves on the furniture.

Likewise, the baby can walk if an adult holds them in both hands.

They can now point with the index finger. In the same way, they put their fingers into holes and slits.

They are now able to throw something for someone to grab it. In addition, they can hold a spoon by its handle and take it up to their mouth – even if the movement is not very precise and they may spill.

The baby is now even able to pet.

Development of motor skills: Month 12

Here the child can typically walk if held in the hand. Subsequently , they can take their first steps without leaning on anything.

They can also bend to pick up an object. They may also start to enjoy playing with taking objects in and out of a box. While squeezing with their index finger and thumb, they can grab small objects individually. They can also now play with pieces that match each other if you show them how.

In this phase, they are able to take the socks off and try to put them on.

A final consideration

Remember that the development of each baby is different and that if your baby does not reach one of these milestones in the exact month, they will probably do so in the next. An infant’s motor development is very rapid in their first year of life, and each baby gets there on its own time.

The important thing here is that you should pay attention and consult your doctor if there is anything that seems abnormal.