Birth–11 monthsGross Motor SkillsPhysical Development: Moving and Handling
When lying on tummy becomes able to lift first head and then chest, supporting self with forearms and then straight arms.
Observe whether the child: when lying on tummy becomes able to lift first head and then chest, supporting self with forearms and then straight arms.
What it looks like
Three ways this behaviour shows up as a child grows. Each level includes everyday moments to watch for.
Emerging
Just starting
Lifts head briefly and begins to prop on forearms, but chest remains mostly on the floor and effort is short-lived. May turn head to one side and push up unevenly.
What you might see
When placed on tummy, the head stays down and the child does not lift to look forward.
Arms remain tucked and the child does not bear weight through forearms or hands before needing a break.
Lifts head for 1–2 seconds, then drops it back to the mat.
Props on forearms briefly but the chest stays low and the child quickly rests again.
Pushes up more on one arm than the other and tips sideways or turns face down.
Expected
On track
Props on forearms with head up for longer periods and begins to lift the upper chest; may push up on straight arms for short bursts. Can look around and engage with a toy while propped.
What you might see
Holds head up while propped on forearms long enough to look at a toy for 10–20 seconds.
Lifts the upper chest off the floor on forearms and looks left and right.
Straightens arms to push up higher for a brief moment, then returns to forearm support.
Exceeding
Going further
Pushes up strongly so chest is lifted, supporting on forearms and then straight arms, and can maintain the position during supervised tummy-time play. Can shift weight slightly to reach toward a toy without collapsing.
What you might see
Pushes up on straight arms with chest lifted and holds the position during play.
Reaches for a toy with one hand while the other arm supports, then returns to a stable prop.
Maintains tummy-time play without immediate collapse, looking around and engaging with objects.
Shifts weight smoothly to reach further for a toy and stays propped without falling onto the face/chest.
Pivots on tummy (turns body) while propped to orient toward a person/toy.
Transitions between forearm support and straight-arm support repeatedly during the same play period.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
Supervised tummy time: Place a toy in front and notice whether your baby can lift head and chest to look at it, first on forearms and later with straighter arms.
Bath-time towel play (supervised): After drying, place your baby on a firm mat for a brief tummy-time moment and observe whether they push up to look at you.
Nappy-free play: During a short floor play window, watch whether your baby props on forearms and can look around rather than resting face-down.
Face-to-face: Lie down in front of your baby during tummy time and notice whether they lift head/chest to make eye contact and then keep the position to vocalise or smile.
Connected behaviours
Behaviours that scaffold, follow, or co-emerge with this one.
The framework source and supporting developmental research.
Framework source
Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE, 2012).
This construct is a verbatim Development Matters (2012) observable behaviour statement capturing the progression of prone head/chest control and arm support.
Other sources
Folio, M. R., & Fewell, R. R. (2000). Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–Second Edition (PDMS-2). PRO-ED.
PDMS-2 gross motor development includes early postural control observations that contextualise forearm-to-hand support progression in prone.
Five-level rubric (detailed)ShowHide
The full progression underlying the three levels above. Used by the platform’s reasoning agent when planning activities and observations.
Not Yet
On tummy, does not lift head or chest in a sustained way; head rests down or quickly drops. Needs repositioning or immediate support to tolerate the position.
When placed on tummy, the head stays down and the child does not lift to look forward.
Arms remain tucked and the child does not bear weight through forearms or hands before needing a break.
Emerging
Lifts head briefly and begins to prop on forearms, but chest remains mostly on the floor and effort is short-lived. May turn head to one side and push up unevenly.
Lifts head for 1–2 seconds, then drops it back to the mat.
Props on forearms briefly but the chest stays low and the child quickly rests again.
Pushes up more on one arm than the other and tips sideways or turns face down.
Developing
Props on forearms with head up for longer periods and begins to lift the upper chest; may push up on straight arms for short bursts. Can look around and engage with a toy while propped.
Holds head up while propped on forearms long enough to look at a toy for 10–20 seconds.
Lifts the upper chest off the floor on forearms and looks left and right.
Straightens arms to push up higher for a brief moment, then returns to forearm support.
Secure
Pushes up strongly so chest is lifted, supporting on forearms and then straight arms, and can maintain the position during supervised tummy-time play. Can shift weight slightly to reach toward a toy without collapsing.
Pushes up on straight arms with chest lifted and holds the position during play.
Reaches for a toy with one hand while the other arm supports, then returns to a stable prop.
Maintains tummy-time play without immediate collapse, looking around and engaging with objects.
Reflexive
Uses prone support flexibly: shifts weight side-to-side, reaches with one hand while maintaining support, pivots or scoots in prone, and transitions toward more advanced movement (e.g., bringing knees under) during play.
Shifts weight smoothly to reach further for a toy and stays propped without falling onto the face/chest.
Pivots on tummy (turns body) while propped to orient toward a person/toy.
Transitions between forearm support and straight-arm support repeatedly during the same play period.
