Infant & Pediatric Physical Therapy Milestones

At RISE Pediatric Therapies (RPT), we believe it’s important for parents to have the information they need to gauge the progress of their child’s development. Please use these physical therapy milestones as your child grows. If you have any questions about your child’s development, we can help with related therapies, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and Developmental Special Instruction. We offer in-home and community early intervention services for children, as well as therapy clinics for developmental disabilities (TDD). We serve Mesa, Surprise, Tucson, and their surrounding areas in Arizona. Contact us at (480) 295-4925 for more information or get started now.

  • Newborn playing with feet.

    Birth to 3 Months

    • Holds head up when on tummy
    • Moves both arms and both legs
    • Opens hands briefly
    • Brings hands to mouth
    • Turns head to both sides while on their back
  • Young baby holding up his own head.

    4 to 6 Months

    • Holds head steady without support when being held
    • Holds a toy when you put it in their hand
    • Uses their arms to swing at toys
    • Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
    • Starts to roll over from belly to back and back to belly
    • Sits with support
  • 8 month old sitting upright playing with toys.

    7 to 9 Months

    • Can sit independently
    • Bounces when supported to stand
    • Gets on hands and knees and rocks back and forth
    • May creep, scoot, crawl
    • Begins to pull up to stand
    • Bangs toys on table
    • Can hold an object in each hand
  • 10 month old standing up with support.

    9 to 12 Months

    • Cruising between surfaces with support
    • Crawl while holding a toy
    • Pick up small objects between thumb and 1-2 fingers
    • Begin to take steps alone
    • Move a toy from one hand to another
    • Crawl up stairs
  • 16 month old painting.

    12 to 18 Months

    • Walk independently
    • Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
  • young kid kicking a ball.

    18 to 24 Months

    • Walks up stairs with rail or hand held assistance
    • Can walk backwards and begins to run
    • Can kick a ball
  • 2 year old baby unscrewing a bottle cap.

    2 to 3 Years

    • Walks on a line, beam or curb for a few steps
    • Uses hands to twist things, like turning door knobs or unscrewing lids
    • Jumps off the ground with both feet
  • 4 year old boy catches a volleyball.

    3 to 4 Years

    • Walks up stairs (alternating feet) with help
    • Catches a large ball most of the time
    • Can begin to pedal a bike with training wheels
  • 5 year olds participating in a movement class.

    4 to 5 Years

    • Walks up and down stairs (alternating feet) without help
    • Hops on one foot (Lipkin, 2022)

Early Childhood Physical Therapy Milestones

RISE Pediatric Therapies is here to offer support during the early years of your child’s life. We offer in-home and community early intervention services for children and their families, as well as clinics for TDD. We serve Mesa, Surprise, Tucson, and their surrounding areas in Arizona, including Casa Grande, Nogales, Tempe, and Gilbert. Our TDD clinics are conveniently located in Mesa and Surprise. Contact us at (480) 295-4925 for more information or get started now.

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