Gross motor skills in babies & toddlers: milestones and activities

From the adorable wiggles of infants to the confident strides of preschoolers, children build gross motor skills every day. Gross motor skills are the big movements that use large muscles—like lifting the head, rolling, crawling, walking, running, and jumping.

In this guide, you’ll learn key gross motor milestones to look for and simple ways to encourage active play. NIDO is here as your nutrition companion, providing essential vitamins and minerals to help support healthy growth and development.

The low down on gross motor skills

From day one, your little one is on a mission to explore and be on the move. Here's what to look out for and some easy ideas to cheer them on:

• During tummy time, your baby works on lifting their head and chest—strengthening core, neck, and shoulder muscles.
• As your toddler grows, you may see big wins like walking, climbing stairs, and running with more confidence.
• In the preschool years, coordination takes off—look for hopping, skipping, kicking a ball, and (eventually) learning to ride a bike.

NIDO's Developmental Line Up:

NIDO 1+

For toddlers that might be beginning to venture into the realm of language and movement, offering support for growing minds and bodies.

NIDO 3+

A delightful companion tailored for 3+ year-olds or preschoolers, nurturing them through the early stages of childhood.
 

NIDO Lacto-Ease

A reduced lactose beverage for your 1+ year-olds that helps support healthy growth and development and contains probiotics to support their immune system.

NIDO Fortificada

Ideal for 4+ year-olds, delivering essential nutrients as they conquer new developmental milestones.