10–12 months old: Gross motor skill development

Gross motor skill development allows your baby to improve their balance and coordination and use their larger muscles. These abilities will help your little one master certain movements, such as turning over, sitting up, creeping, crawling, walking, running, climbing, and jumping. Developing gross motor skills is also an important step towards developing fine motor skills.

Gross motor skill development: 10 to 12 months old

At this age:

• Your baby is able to use their feet to turn in circles while sitting on their bum and can turn their body to look at or pick up objects that are beside or behind them.

• Your baby can easily change position: when sitting, they can get onto all fours, kneel, then stand up with the help of furniture, and can do the reverse to return to sitting or lying on their tummy.
• They use their hands to protect themself when they tip forwards, backwards, or to one side.
• Your baby can squat while holding on to a piece of furniture to pick up an object from the floor.
• They walk sideways while holding on to furniture for support, and can shift from one piece of furniture to another without falling if the furniture is close together.
• Your baby can climb onto the couch and back down again, as long as it isn’t too high off the ground.
• They may be able to climb a step or two on the stairs on all fours, as long as you are close behind to keep them safe.
• Your baby can walk while pushing a push walker or large object for support, such as a laundry basket that’s been turned upside down.
• They may be able to stand unsupported for a few seconds. Some babies may start walking unassisted.
• While seated, your baby can stop a rolling ball with their hands and push it without losing their balance.
• Some children are still creeping at this point, but most mainly crawl on all fours to get around.

Over the next few weeks, your baby will begin to do the following:

• Squat down, bend over, and stand up without support
• Crawl up and down the stairs
• Stand unsupported for a few seconds
• Take their first steps without assistance

How can you help your child progress?

Every child is different and develops at their own pace. That said, you can help foster your little one’s development by using the Comfort, Play, and Teach parenting approach, which is designed to easily integrate in your daily routine. The table below outlines small, age-specific actions you can take that will benefit your child’s gross motor skill development.

Scientific review: Josiane Caron Santha, occupational therapist Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: November 2025

Photo: GettyImages/DusanManic