Your baby changes and learns new skills everyday. As you observe your child's development you start having questions about when is the right time for each developmental milestone to emerge.
Every child achieves his/her developmental milestones in its
own speed. There are some guidelines which can tell us when approximately children learn for example to sit independently, crawl and walk but you need to remember that your child is developing gradually and each child is unique. How quickly they master a new skill depends on many factors but the general rule is that the more they practice the skill the quicker they learn it.
An example of a gross motor skill is floor siting. In order for a child to be able to sit independently he/she should first strengthen his/her neck and tummy muscles and have good shoulder stability and head control.
An other example is crawling. Many parents ask me 'will my child crawl?' and my answer is that not all children crawl but it is good if they do as it is a good sign of good coordination. Crawling requires good abdominal control, upper limb and lower limb strength, body awareness and coordination. However, there are also environmental factors which can affect crawling. It is quite common children who spend all their playtime in a hard surface they might not crawl because kneeling can become painfull. Therefore, providing a soft play mat or carpet for your child to play is also important.
Remember that you need to give your child plenty of time to practice a skill, use toys which motivates your baby to and celebrate every little achievement small or big.
If you still have concerns about your child's development seek advice from a GP, Consultant Paediatrician or Paediatric Physiotherapist.