Tenacious Tots

All that floor time, tummy time, crawling, and walking has built up your baby’s strength, balance, coordination, motor planning, and endurance for the key motor skills of toddlerhood.

Running, jumping, skipping, climbing, cycling, throwing, catching, hitting, and swimming are the bases for social play, sports participation, and lifelong health & fitness.

Read on for more tips, resources, and recommendations to help your tenacious toddler thrive.

Jump to Motor Skills

Jump to Toddler Tips

Jump to Toddler Toys

Gross Motor Skills
2-7 Years Old

If your child has not met these skills by the age listed, ask your pediatrician about a referral to pediatric physical therapy.

2 years

Walking Up/Down Stairs (Step-To Pattern)

Throwing Overhand

Kicking

3 years

Jumping

Running

Climbing a Playground Ladder

Catching a Large Ball

Throwing Underhand

Riding Tricycle and/or 3 Wheeled Scooter

4 years

Walking Up Stairs (Reciprocal Pattern)

5 years

Hitting a Ball

Catching a Small Ball

6 years

Swimming

7 years

Riding a Bicycle

Use this APTA link to search for PTs close to your home. Please note that this list does not include all PTs. Ask your pediatrician for recommendations or search for practitioners online using sites such as google and yelp.

Find a PT

Swimming is a crucial safety skill that should be introduced early with guidance from trained professionals.

It is also an excellent form of exercise that your child can do throughout their life.

Search for swim lessons near you using google, yelp, or other search engines. Check with your local recreation center, as many have swim programs or will know of local resources. Most YMCA locations offer swim lessons and could be a great place to start:

Find a YMCA

Worried Your Child Isn't Playing with Their Friends? The Stages of Play: What They Are and When They Happen

Key Takeaways: 1. There are 6 stages of play; from unoccupied play (0-3 months old) to cooperative play (4-6 years old). 2. Knowing these stages help set realistic expectations during play dates and on the playground. 3. Your child is always learning from being in social settings, regardless of their type of engagement. Social exposures are crucial for building confidence with peers in group settings.

Tricycle, Scooter, or Balance Bike: Which Is Best for Your 2-4 Year Old?

Key Takeaways: 1. Tricycle — slow-paced and stable, great for cautious toddlers and a great tool for strengthening the legs. 2. Scooter — fantastic for coordination but requires monitoring for leg dominance and safety. 3. Balance bike — the most efficient path to future cycling success with strong balance benefits.

Understanding Sensory Differences in Infants and Toddlers

Key Takeaways: 1. The sensory system can be more or less responsive in different kids. Knowing your child’s sensory responses help you support their play more effectively. 2. Kids who avoid sensation (sensory avoiding) may become overwhelmed by bright lights, loud noises, or certain textures. 3. Kids who seek sensation (sensory seeking) may crave movement, loud noises, and touch.

Baby legs, muscles are relaxed with normal tone

Understanding Muscle Tone: What It Means for Your Child's Movement

Key Takeaways: 1. Tone is the natural resting tension of your muscles. It helps your body be ready to move and maintain posture. There is a spectrum of tone. 2. Low tone (hypotonia) is when the muscles are more “floppy." 3. High tone (hypertonia) is when the muscles are tighter or stiffer.

free play baby recovering from a fall, safely catching himself from falling

Ensuring Safety and Building Confidence: Finding a Balance in Free Play

Key Takeaways: 1. Preventing harm is essential, as is encouraging curiosity and growth. 2. Falling and failing are important parts of learning. 3. There are many preventable injuries that can impact your child in the long term if there is not enough supervision.

Should You Worry About “W” Sitting? A Parent’s Guide

Key Takeaways: 1. W Sitting gives toddlers a wide base of support making balance easier for play. 2. Persistent W Sitting can put a strain on the hips, knees, and ankles. 3. Variety in sitting postures is important.

The Current Research Behind Shoes for Infants and Toddlers

Key Takeaways: 1. Barefoot is good! 2. Some studies show better foot and ankle alignment and movement with barefoot play. 3. Shoes may be necessary for outdoor hazards or for orthotic treatment in rare cases.

a baby grabbing his toes while laying on his back playing

My baby was diagnosed with gross motor delay. What now?

Key Takeaways: 1. Pediatric physical therapists will do more detailed examination for infants flagged with delays by their pediatricians. 2. Home exercises with caregivers are vital for success. 3. Many factors can cause delays and not all will have a lasting impact on your baby, especially with early intervention.