“Should my baby be crawling yet?” is a question we often hear as babies reach 4–5 months of age. We are excited when parents start asking about crawling, but the age crawling begins is not as important as the sequence of skills that lead to it and the timing within a child’s developmental journey. That’s exactly why we created our Rolling to Rocking Workshop, where parents can come with their baby and have fun learning about the skills needed before crawling.
For a long time, crawling did not get the attention it deserved. The focus of neurodevelopmental clinicians was on ensuring a child achieved walking; this was seen as the main milestone in infancy after sitting, and it didn’t matter how they got there. However, as science continues to evolve, so does our understanding of the brain. While walking is important and lifelong, crawling offers unique opportunities for brain development and sensory-motor integration, and ideally shouldn’t be missed.
We want to see crawling develop after specific early mini-milestones are achieved. Before crawling, we want to see skills such as comfortable tummy time, rolling both ways, pivoting in circles, reaching across the body, and rocking on hands and knees. These mini-milestones give the brain sensory feedback about where the body is in space and what movement patterns work efficiently. Not only do they connect to early motor development, but they have also been linked to cognitive, social, and emotional development, highlighting just how interconnected movement and brain growth are [2].
Infants need plenty of floor time and opportunities for free movement, rather than spending extended periods in capsules, seats, or rockers. Recent studies have shown that infants with increased opportunities for movement and floor-based play have better motor outcomes. Studies show motor development improves with tummy time, helping babies develop the strength and control needed for later milestones such as rolling, sitting, and crawling [4,5]. Crawling is important for the brain as it encourages babies to coordinate both sides of their body, process sensory information, develop postural control, and strengthen communication between brain regions [3].
While we have guidelines on when a child should develop early skills such as tummy time and sitting, there is a broad age range considered normal for crawling. Crawling commonly emerges between 6 and 10 months, although some babies may army crawl first, crawl backwards, or spend time rocking on hands and knees before moving forward. Some babies may rock for a week; others for six weeks. What matters most is the quality and symmetry of these movements. This is what our team looks for to build confidence in a child’s neurodevelopmental journey.
Our goal is for parents to feel excited about development. We want to help you understand what is happening in your baby’s body and brain, and how you can support them at home.
In our Rolling to Rocking Workshop, you will learn what to look for in the small movements that happen before crawling, why these mini-milestones matter, and when extra support may be beneficial.
The first few years of life are an incredible period of brain development. Movement is one of the key ways your baby learns about themselves and the world around them. By understanding these foundational milestones, parents can feel more confident supporting their child’s growing brain and body.
Want to better understand your baby’s development? Join us at our Rolling to Rocking Workshop to learn why these early milestones matter and how you can support your little one’s development. We look forward to seeing you there!
References