Top 12 Exercises for Your Baby, by Month
Your baby’s first year is full of exciting movement milestones. These simple, play-based activities can encourage strength, coordination, balance, and motor development.
(Remember that every baby develops at their own pace.)
Looking for more tips? Check out my book available to order online through Amazon or Barnes & Noble:
1: Tummy Time
Exercise: Place your baby on their tummy while they’re awake and supervised.
Tip: Start with short sessions and gradually build up as your baby gets more comfortable.
2: Reaching for Toys
Exercise: Hold a colorful toy within your baby’s reach and encourage them to reach toward it.
Tip: Move the toy slowly from side to side to encourage looking and reaching in different directions.
3: Rolling to the Side
Exercise: Encourage your baby to turn from their back toward their side by placing a toy beside them.
Tip: Give them plenty of floor space and let them initiate the movement.
4: Rolling Tummy to Back and Back to Tummy
Exercise: Encourage rolling in both directions during supervised floor play.
Tip: Place an interesting toy just beyond reach to motivate movement.
5: Supported Sitting
Exercise: Help your baby sit upright with support from your hands or a firm cushion.
Tip: Stay close and provide support around the trunk while they practice controlling their head and body.
6: Sitting Balance
Exercise: Let your baby practice sitting with their hands on the floor for support.
Tip: Sit nearby and place toys in front of them to encourage balance and reaching.
7: Quadruped
Exercise: Help your baby get onto hands and knees—the “quadruped” position.
Tip: Place a favorite toy in front of them to encourage weight-bearing through their hands and knees.
8: Quadruped With Reaching
Exercise: While your baby is on hands and knees, encourage them to reach for toys with one hand.
Tip: Put the toy slightly to the side so they practice shifting their weight.
9: Supported Standing
Exercise: Let your baby practice standing while holding onto a stable, sturdy surface.
Tip: Keep toys at standing height to make the activity fun and motivating.
10: Crawling
Exercise: Encourage your baby to move across the floor on their hands and knees.
Tip: Place toys a short distance away to give them a reason to move toward them.
11: Cruising
Exercise: Encourage your baby to move sideways while holding onto furniture.
Tip: Place favorite toys along a sturdy surface so they can practice taking steps while holding on.
12: Walking With or Without Support
Exercise: Encourage your baby to take steps while holding your hands, pushing a stable object, or walking independently when ready.
Tip: Give your baby plenty of safe, open floor space to practice at their own pace.
A note for parents: These age ranges are general guides, not deadlines. Babies develop skills at different rates. Keep exercises for your baby playful, supervise closely, and use a safe floor surface. For tummy time and other floor activities, your baby should be awake and supervised; always place babies on their backs for sleep.
