Large body movements like rolling, crawling, walking, running, and climbing. Each new gross motor skill dramatically changes what parts of your home your child can access. Safety planning should anticipate the next milestone, not just react to the current one.
Related Terms
A baby who has learned to move on hands and knees, usually between 6 and 10 months. Once babies start crawling, everything changes. They can reach outlets, pull on tablecloths, find small objects on the floor, and get to stairs. This is the time to get serious about childproofing.
A child who can walk independently, usually between 9 and 18 months. Walking opens up the entire house. They can reach higher, move faster, and get into rooms that were previously inaccessible. Baby gates and door locks become essential now.
When toddlers figure out climbing, they can scale furniture, bookshelves, and even baby gates. This usually happens between 18 months and 3 years. Climbing dramatically increases the risk of falls and tip-overs. Anchoring everything and removing climbable items near dangerous spots is critical.
Skills and abilities that most children reach by certain ages, like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking. Each milestone creates new safety considerations. Pediatricians track them at well-child visits, and the CDC has a milestone tracker app for parents.