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0–5 monthsGross Motor (physical culture)

can turn their head to either side when lying face up

Observe whether the child: can turn their head to either side when lying face up

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

Your baby is starting to move their head while lying on their back, but one side may be easier or the turn may be small and inconsistent.

What you might see

  • Turns the head only partway while lying on the back
  • Turns more easily to one side than the other

Expected

On track

When your baby is lying on their back, they can turn their head to the left and to the right without you moving it for them.

What you might see

  • Turns the head toward the left side while safely on the back
  • Turns the head toward the right side while safely on the back
  • Moves the head without the parent repositioning it by hand

Exceeding

Going further

Your baby turns both ways during calm awake time to follow your voice, a face, or nearby movement, without needing much encouragement.

What you might see

  • Turns toward a familiar voice from either side while lying on the back
  • Looks from one side to the other during a calm awake period

Try this at home

Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.

  • Place your baby safely on their back and notice whether they can turn their head left and right.

  • During a calm awake moment, speak softly from one side and then the other and watch how they move their head.

  • Notice whether one side seems much easier than the other.

Where this comes from

The dataset source and any supporting developmental research.

Dataset source

  • Stenhaug, B., Ram, N., & Frank, M. C. (2021). The Stanford SHQ: A measure of early developmental milestones.

    The SHQ item asks parents to observe side-to-side head turning while the child is lying face up.

Developmental research

  • Bayley, N., & Aylward, G. P. (2019). Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (4th ed.). Pearson.

    Early motor assessment includes infant head control and controlled head movement as part of gross motor development.