Child Stages: When Your Child Learns to Crawl - Child Development

Crawling

3 to 6 months
While it is very unusual for babies 3 to 6 months to gain true mobility, some more precocious ones will start to commando crawl, or drag themselves on their bellies while pulling themselves forward with their arms.

6 to 9 months
Your 6- to 9-month-old will probably learn to sit, stand, and perhaps even crawl or consider crawling. The reason we say "consider" is because while infants are generally capable of pulling themselves along with their arms (some even getting up on their hands and knees) by around 9 months of age, the fact is that there are some infants who never crawl.

And while the parents of those infants often are greatly concerned, crawling is not truly a milestone, but rather, it is but one way of assessing whether a child's muscle strength and motor development are developing. If you are concerned about your own baby's lack of interest in crawling, discuss it with his pediatrician before spending much time worrying about it!

9 to 12 months
Infants are generally capable of pulling themselves along with their arms (some even getting up on their hands and knees) by around 9 months of age and crawl more efficiently (with or without lifting their abdomens off the floor) by around 10 months.

For the parents of babies who seem to have no interest in crawling, rest assured that there are some infants who walk before they crawl, and even a few who never crawl. In these instances, it is helpful to remember that crawling is only one of many ways to assess whether a child's muscle strength and motor skills are developing properly.

If you are worried about your own baby's lack of interest in or inability to crawl, be sure to discuss your concerns with his pediatrician.

12 to 18 months
Some toddlers will already be walking by the time they turn a year, while others will take their time and wait several months to do so. Either way, just about all healthy toddlers are able to walk independently without difficulty by 18 months, may even be starting to run, and often find a new way to amuse themselves by walking backwards.

While many can walk up stairs while holding onto their parents' hands, they're not ready to do it alone, so it's important keep a close eye on them.

18 to 24 months
Toddlers typically go from crawling up or scooting down stairs to walking up and down stairs alone, placing both feet on each step. That said, don't be fooled into thinking that that your toddler no longer needs adult supervision on stairs just yet.

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