MilestoneMovement· 5mo–12mo

Crawling Position

Baby gets into crawling position by getting up on hands and knees

Medium (60%)
Connected0 related · 3 prereq

What the research says

Referenced across 2 developmental frameworks: asq_3 · development_matters

Full quotes, source languages, and document links coming soon as we finish the source-evidence indexing pass.

Before this (3)

Required (1)

Helpful

How it's taught

asq_3

Observe during floor play

Materials: Safe floor surface

What mastery looks like

Not yet

Does not get on hands and knees

  • Remains on tummy
  • No quadruped position
Emerging

Occasionally gets into crawling position briefly

  • Brief quadruped
  • Unstable
Developing

Sometimes gets into crawling position on hands and knees

  • Gets into position about half the time
  • May rock
Secure

Regularly gets into and maintains crawling position

  • Consistent quadruped position
  • Stable
  • May rock back and forth
Reflexive

Easily assumes crawling position and may crawl

  • Smooth transition to position
  • Crawls forward
  • Controlled movement

Activities for this (12)

Movement6mo–12mo

Keep Trying!

Parent places a desired toy just out of baby's reach and the agent coaches the parent to observe persistence — how long baby tries, what strategies they use, and how they handle frustration. This activity builds early character through perseverance in a safe, supported context.

Movement6mo–12mo

Scooty Scoot — Motivating That First Crawl

Parent places an enticing toy just out of baby's reach while on tummy, encouraging them to drag or crawl toward it. Agent coaches parent to observe body movement patterns, effort, and problem-solving while celebrating every wiggle.

Movement7mo–12mo

Tunnel Treasure Hunt

A fun crawling adventure using household items to encourage movement and coordination

Movement6mo–14mo

Tummy Time Treasure Hunt

Parent places a favorite toy just out of reach while baby is on their tummy. The guide coaches the parent through observing how the baby attempts to move toward the object, capturing early crawling precursors, reaching behavior, and motivation/persistence.

Movement7mo–9mo

Crawl & Reach

This helps encourage your baby to crawl. Providing the right motivation can strengthen your baby’s muscles and encourage movement. Lay your baby face down on a blanket. Place an object in front of them that they will want to reach. Gently pu

Movement7mo–9mo

Reach and stretch

This helps strengthen your baby's muscles. Motor skills development at this age are the initial phase of preparing a baby for crawling. To complete this activity, lay your baby facing down and place an attractive toy in front of them so that t

Movement7mo–9mo

Step by Step

Parent helps baby practice stair-climbing movements by supporting them on hands and knees on a low step or cushion ramp. The agent guides the parent to observe crawling readiness, weight-shifting, and upper body strength — building coordination and gross motor confidence.

Movement7mo–9mo

Push to Crawl

Parent places baby on all fours and gently pushes against the soles of their feet to encourage forward sliding and crawling readiness. The agent guides the parent to observe crawling position stability, forward movement attempts, and tummy-based locomotion — building the motor foundations for independent crawling.

Movement7mo–9mo

Reach for the Toy

Parent places baby on tummy and positions a toy just out of reach, gently guiding baby's legs in a crawling motion. The agent coaches the parent to observe early crawling attempts, weight shifting, and motivation to move — building gross motor skills and the drive toward independent locomotion.

Movement7mo–9mo

Climb Over Me

This helps practice crawling over different obstacles. Begin this activity by sitting down on the floor and placing your baby next to you. Your baby should have her knees on the floor and her hands over your stomach, almost leaning over you. Now, place a

Movement10mo–12mo

Crawling Across

This helps strengthen your baby’s muscles and practice crawling over obstacles. Encouraging crawling over obstacles helps strengthen your baby’s muscles and improves motor skills. Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out and place your baby on your right and an attractive to

Movement7mo–9mo

On Hands and Knees

This helps strengthen your baby’s muscles and practice the hands and knees position. Begin by folding a blanket lengthwise over a mat. Now, place your baby face down over the blanket so that it's under her chest. Next, take the tips of the blanket and softly pull from them, lifting yo

Formal assessments

No matching assessment items indexed yet.

Standardised assessment view

1 instrument measure this construct. The construct page shows how each one approaches it and at what age range.

View as assessment construct →