Balance Awareness Week

Balance Milestones: A Guide to Your Child’s Physical Development

Balance is one of the foundational skills that supports a child’s ability to move, explore, and interact with the world. From holding up their head as a newborn to standing on one foot during a game of hopscotch, each stage of balance development plays a vital role in physical and cognitive growth.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the key balance milestones in early childhood, what they typically look like, and when you can expect to see them. If you have any concerns with your child’s balance or they are not meeting the milestones below, our physical therapists are here to help.
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Why Balance Matters

Balance allows children to:
• Sit up and move independently
• Walk, run, jump, and play safely
• Develop hand-eye coordination and core strength
• Build confidence in their physical abilities

Balance is also closely tied to the development of the vestibular system—the sensory system that contributes to our sense of motion, spatial orientation, and equilibrium.
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Balance Milestones by Age

Every child develops at their own pace, but here’s a general timeline of balance milestones to look out for:
• 6 months: Sitting Independently
• 11 months: Stands independently
• 12-15 months: Walks independently
• 2.5 years: stands on 1 leg for 4 seconds
• 3-4 years: Walks on a balance beam or curb without falling

Children between 3 and 5 are refining their gross motor skills, which leads to better posture, spatial orientation, and physical confidence. Improved gross motor skills and balance should also mean less tripping and falling.
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When to Seek Support

While developmental timelines vary, here are a few signs that may warrant a check-in with your pediatrician or our physical therapists:
• Poor head or trunk control by 6 months
• Not sitting independently by 9 months
• No signs of walking by 16 months
• Frequent falls or clumsiness beyond age 3
• Difficulty with stairs, jumping, or running compared to peers

Early intervention can make a big difference, especially if there are underlying motor delays.
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Supporting Balance at Home

Parents and caregivers play a big role in encouraging balance development. Here are a few fun ways to help:
• Tummy time from day one
• Obstacle courses using pillows, tunnels, or cones
• Balance games like “Simon Says” or freeze dance
• Ride-on toys, scooters, or child-safe balance bikes
• Barefoot play to strengthen foot muscles and body awareness

Most importantly, give your child plenty of opportunities to move, explore, and play!
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Final Thoughts

Balance milestones are more than just physical checkpoints—they’re stepping stones to independence, exploration, and lifelong confidence in movement. While it’s helpful to know the typical timeline, every child is unique. Celebrate their progress, support their play, and trust that with the right encouragement, they’ll find their footing—one step at a time

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