A child's psychomotor development in the first year: milestones and warning signs
Published 10 June 2026 · Author: Mgr. Eva Machačová, physiotherapist and Vojta-method teaching therapist
Is it holding its head up yet? When should it roll onto its tummy? And is it all right that it isn't crawling yet? A baby's development is a source of joy as well as uncertainty for parents. In this article we summarise the main milestones of psychomotor development in the first year of life and the warning signs that make it advisable to have a child examined by a physiotherapist.
What is psychomotor development?
Psychomotor development describes how movement (motor skills), perception and the psyche gradually develop in a child. These areas are closely linked – a child moves towards what interests it, and movement in turn allows it to explore the world. A healthy infant develops entirely spontaneously according to an innate programme; the parents' task is not to „teach" the child individual skills, but to give it the space for them.
Every child has its own pace. The ages given are approximate ranges, not exact deadlines. To assess development, the quality of movement (symmetry, smoothness, support) is often more important than exactly when the child mastered a skill.
Milestones month by month
| Age | What the child usually manages |
|---|---|
| 0–6 weeks | Movements are so-called holokinetic – the baby moves with its whole body, turning its head to both sides; in the prone position it can lift its head and turn it to the other side. |
| 6 weeks – 3 months | The child begins to fix its gaze, smiles and gradually gains symmetry. At 3 months it props itself securely on its forearms in the prone position and holds its head up („looks around"), and on its back it keeps its head in the midline and brings its hands together in front of the body. |
| 4–5 months | Reaches purposefully for a toy while on its back; in the prone position it props on one elbow and grasps with the other hand. It begins to roll onto its side. |
| 6 months | Rolls from back to tummy (to both sides). In the prone position it pushes up on straight arms with open palms. It grasps objects with the whole hand and passes them from hand to hand. |
| 7–8 months | Also rolls from tummy to back and pivots (turns around its axis while on the tummy). Oblique sitting appears. |
| 8–9 months | Crawls on all fours and, via oblique sitting, reaches independent sitting – we never artificially sit a child up. The pincer grasp (thumb–index finger) develops. |
| 9–12 months | Stands up – pulling itself up to stand at the furniture and moving sideways around it. Around its first birthday it takes its first independent steps. |
| 12–18 months | Independent walking is refined. The start of walking by 18 months is usually considered the limit of the norm. |
Warning signs: when to pay attention
The following signs do not automatically mean a developmental disorder, but they are a reason to have the child examined by a paediatrician or a paediatric physiotherapist:
- head predilection – the child constantly turns its head only to one side, dislikes having it turned to the other side, or the head flattens on one side
- movement asymmetry – the child uses one hand or leg markedly more, or rolls only over one side
- at 3 months it does not prop on its forearms in the prone position, dislikes lying on the tummy, cannot hold its head up
- permanently clenched fists, the thumb tucked into the palm
- frequent arching backwards (the child „makes a bridge"), marked restlessness or, conversely, striking floppiness
- at 7 months it does not roll from back to tummy
- at 10 months it does not crawl and does not get into a sitting position on its own
- at 18 months it does not walk independently
- a marked loss of already acquired skills
The sooner a possible disorder is detected, the simpler and more successful the therapy tends to be – an infant's nervous system is most adaptable in the first months. You can find more about the options for early therapy in the article The Vojta method in infants.
How does the examination of psychomotor development work?
At our clinic we carry out a comprehensive examination of psychomotor development based on developmental kinesiology. We assess the child's spontaneous movement, postural reactions and primitive reflexes. The result is an objective evaluation of whether development corresponds to the child's age – and if not, we propose a specific treatment plan and train you in home exercises.
You can find information about booking on the For patients page or call us on +420 583 034 715.
Frequently asked questions
Usually at around 8–9 months, getting there on its own via oblique sitting. We do not artificially sit a child up.
Most children between 12 and 15 months; the norm is usually up to 18 months.
It isn't, but crawling is an important developmental stage. If a child skips it altogether, we recommend having the quality of its movement assessed by an experienced specialist (a doctor or physiotherapist).
We recommend plenty of free movement in open space. There are no relevant studies showing that baby walkers or bouncers have a positive benefit or speed up a child's development.
About the author
Mgr. Eva Machačová is a physiotherapist and Vojta-method teaching therapist. She specialises in the diagnosis and therapy of psychomotor development disorders in infants and children. She works at the KM KINEPRO PLUS s.r.o. clinic in Olomouc.
Not sure about your baby's development?
Book an examination of your child's psychomotor development at our clinic in Olomouc.
Contact the clinicThis article is for information only and does not replace examination by a doctor or physiotherapist.
