Spectacular changes in growth and development characterise the first years of life. From birth to first steps, is an exciting and eventful time for parents and baby alike. Movement and play are part of development in the first years and may influence important physical activity habits and capacities in later years.

Physical growth in the first year

Your baby will grow quickly in the first year of life. The average full-term baby weighs 3500 grams (seven and a half pounds) and is approximately 50 centimetres in length. Boys and girls differ a little in birth weights, and there are small differences between birth weights of babies from different cultures.

Movement and development in the first year

Your baby’s growth and development may be variable from birth. Each baby goes through similar stages, in the same order, however the timing and rate at which stages occur can vary a lot among babies.

At first, babies’ movements are involuntary and part of the reflex actions they are born with. At about eight weeks, babies start to move their arms, legs and body purposely, for example, reaching to touch. Lots of time and practice allow babies to develop stronger, ’refined’ and more definitive movements, such as grasping objects.

Movement begins with reflexes. Some reflex actions are present at birth and others appear later, in the first few months of life. Reflexes have three main purposes:

Survival and safety (sucking for feeding and grasping)
Postural development (the pull to sit response, showing little or no head lag)
Development of muscles that are used in movement patterns later in infancy (the stepping reflex which occurs within the first weeks of life when baby is held under the arms and their feet are placed on a flat surface).

Why are movement and play important in the first year?
Play opportunities start from birth. Through play, babies learn movement, and how to interact with the environment and the people around them. Movement stimulates the senses (such as sight, sound, and touch) and challenges babies to learn new skills and emotions.

Tips for play

Parents are the ’best toy’ for their baby.
Babies respond best to faces (especially their parents’), patterns and strong colours.
Rhythm and music are important; they help to develop listening skills, language and coordination, and are a good way to encourage playful movements.
Indoor or outdoor settings can be used for play, as long as your baby is supervised and safe.

Tummy time and floor play

‘Tummy time’ can happen any time you carry, position or play with babies while they are on their stomach. ‘Tummy time’ is important for the development of sensory and movement control and needs to be part of baby’s daily routine from a very early age. By the end of the first year of life, your baby will have learnt about movements of the body and developed strength, body awareness and the physical skills needed for rolling, grasping, sitting, crawling and standing. For this reason babies need plenty of opportunities to play on their tummy during waking hours. To make the most of ‘tummy time’, you may like to get down on the floor with your baby, or place toys or objects around your baby that encourage grasping, leg kicking and head lifting. ‘Tummy time’ is safe and beneficial when babies are awake and supervised but never put your baby on their tummy to sleep. Always put your baby on the back to sleep, from birth. Safe sleeping habits can decrease the risk of SIDS and sleeping accidents.

Milestones in movement patterns

The first months
The first months of life provide plenty of challenges and lots of excitement and learning for your baby. Babies will gradually control their bodies and begin to learn how things work.

Objects and toys that are textured, colourful, make sounds and are ’graspable’ are best in the first months of life.

Three–four months

Reaching, finger play, grasping, leg and arm movements, rolling and head lifting are part of development from three to four months of age. Play ideas include access to rattles, mirrors (placed away from baby), tummy time mats, mobiles and toys that reward movements with sounds and music.

Four–six months

Your baby’s movement at four to six months includes rolling, moving forward, pushing the legs, grasping objects, developing stronger head control and developing moods and emotions. At five months a baby can grasp a toy with one hand, and then transfer it to the other. With help, a baby may also be able to lift up to a standing position as early as five months. At six months muscles are often strong enough for baby to sit, with support. At four to six months, toys that move, make sound, or vary in pattern, texture and colour, are appropriate.

Seven–eight months

By seven to eight months babies can use creeping, and bottom shuffling as their means of ’locomotion’ (moving). At seven to nine months babies may also start to crawl properly. At first, the arms tend to do most of the work, though very soon your baby will be able to move more smoothly and with very little effort. Between seven and eight months of age, babies may start to support their weight during standing.

Eight–12 months

At eight to12 months, a baby’s control of grasping is strong and refined enough to pick up some objects. Babies may begin to stand and progress to walking while holding furniture at around eight months of age. At approximately 12 months of age your baby may take their first steps to walking by pulling up on the furniture and moving round it. Eventually baby will stand back, holding on with one hand, poised to walk alone.

Babies of this age enjoy repetition through toys that prompt pushing and pulling, stacking and releasing and gentle, rhythmical sounds.

Role of parents and carers

Parents and carers are the most important people in a child’s life. For health and development, it is essential that babies and toddlers be given endless opportunities for movement and play. Although the role of a parent or carer changes over the years, it is vital to engage in some play and movement in the early years of life. Good role modelling from parents and carers may also help promote a life long enjoyment of physical activity. A love of outdoor play can start in the first few months of life with frequent pram walks and time spent outside.

Things to keep in mind

In the first years of life, sleep is essential. But it is important for parents to make the most of waking time for play, development, and movement.


Tips for parents to make the most of waking time

Spend time playing with your baby every day.
Ensure baby spends minimal time in infant carriers or seats.
Ensure baby spends minimal time in walking aids, indoor swings or baby bouncers as these limit free movement.
Ensure children under two are not watching television or other screen devices.
Provide daily play opportunities through a wide variety of interaction with parents and carers, and toys or play objects suitable for your child’s age.
Check for safety, never use balloons and objects smaller than the baby’s fist.
Check commercially available toys for age-appropriate labels.
Ensure play areas are safe and free of sharp or dangerous objects.