Runningbrook International Preschool
San Carlos Center: Carlos Peña Otaegui 11206 (intersection La Fuente) San Carlos de Apoquindo, Las Condes
Runningbrook International Preschool
San Carlos Center: Carlos Peña Otaegui 11206 (intersection La Fuente) San Carlos de Apoquindo, Las Condes
August 17, 2026
There are few moments as thrilling as watching your baby move through the world for the very first time. The first roll onto a tummy, the first wobbly sit, the first determined crawl across the living room floor, and finally those unforgettable first steps—each one feels like a small miracle. And it is. Behind every one of these milestones is a remarkable process of growth happening in your baby's brain, muscles, and heart.
At Runningbrook International Preschool, we have had the privilege of accompanying more than 1,200 families from over 35 countries since 1993. In that time, we have learned one thing above all: every baby writes their own timeline. This guide is here to help you understand what typically happens during your baby's first year of movement, to reassure you when things unfold at their own pace, and to offer simple, practical ways you can support your little one along the way.
Movement is far more than physical. When your baby learns to roll, sit, crawl, and walk, they are building the foundation for learning, confidence, and independence. Each new skill opens up a bigger world to explore, and exploration is exactly how young children learn best.
These early motor milestones are also deeply connected to cognitive and social development. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that gross motor skills like crawling and walking help babies develop spatial awareness, problem-solving abilities, and even language, as a more mobile baby encounters more people, objects, and experiences to talk about. Renowned developmental psychologist Karen Adolph has shown through decades of research that babies learning to walk take, on average, more than 2,000 steps and fall dozens of times each hour of practice—a beautiful reminder that learning through repetition, trial, and joyful persistence is completely natural.
The following ranges are typical guidelines, not deadlines. Some babies skip stages entirely (many happy, healthy children never crawl in the classic hands-and-knees way), and premature babies often reach milestones according to their adjusted age. Use this as a friendly map, not a measuring stick.
Rolling is often the first big movement adventure. Babies typically roll from tummy to back first, then master back to tummy. You might notice your baby rocking side to side, kicking energetically, or lifting their head and chest during tummy time before that first full roll surprises everyone—sometimes including your baby!
Sitting develops as your baby's core and neck muscles strengthen. At first, your baby may sit propped up or lean forward on their hands in a "tripod" position. With practice, they gain the balance to sit independently, freeing their hands to reach, grab, and explore.
Crawling comes in many creative styles. You might see a classic hands-and-knees crawl, a commando-style belly scoot, a bottom shuffle, or a backward crawl before a forward one. All of these are perfectly normal ways of getting from here to there.
Before walking, most babies pull themselves up to stand, cruise along furniture, and take tentative steps while holding your hands. First independent steps can arrive anywhere across a wide window—and a baby who walks at 16 months is developing just as beautifully as one who walks at 10 months.
It is worth remembering that cultural practices influence these timelines too. In some cultures, babies spend more time on the floor and reach mobility milestones earlier, while in others babies are carried more and may sit or walk a little later—with no difference in long-term outcomes. There is no single "right" way for a healthy baby to grow.
You do not need special equipment or a strict schedule to help your baby thrive. The most powerful support you can offer is a safe, encouraging environment and plenty of everyday play. Here are a few simple strategies you can start today.
These first-year milestones are the earliest expression of something we nurture at every stage of childhood: learning through movement, play, and curiosity. In our Growing Steps program for children from 6 months to 2 years, our dedicated educadoras create warm, safe environments with room to roll, sit, crawl, and take those thrilling first steps, always following each child's individual rhythm.
Our child-centered approach and play-based learning philosophy mean we never push children toward a milestone before they are ready. Instead, we design our indoor and outdoor spaces to invite exploration, and we celebrate each child's unique path. This same respect for individual pace carries through our Playgroup, Kid's Club, and Pre-Kinder programs, where physical confidence built in infancy grows into the coordination, independence, and self-esteem that support all learning.
Our multicultural environment and bilingual education also mean your child grows surrounded by rich language and diverse experiences—the very things that motivate a mobile, curious baby to keep exploring. Early childhood development flourishes when children feel both safe and inspired to move toward the world around them.
If there is one message we hope you carry with you, it is this: you are the expert on your own child. You know your baby's temperament, their little signals, and the rhythms of your family better than anyone. Milestone charts are helpful guides, but they can never capture the wonderful individuality of your child.
Try not to compare your baby to the baby next door or to a cousin's photos online. Some children charge ahead with movement and take their time with words; others do the opposite. Both are developing exactly as they should. If you ever have a genuine concern about your child's development, trust your instincts and speak with your pediatrician—that partnership is always worthwhile.
Above all, savor this fleeting, extraordinary year. Every roll, every wobble, every triumphant step is your baby discovering that they can shape their own world—with you cheering them on. That confidence you help build in the first year is a gift that will support them for a lifetime, and at Runningbrook, we would be honored to continue that journey alongside your family.