Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

During which developmental stage does a child typically begin to crawl?

1. 4 months

2. 6 months

3. 8 months

4. 9 months

The correct answer is: 9 months

Crawling typically begins around 6 to 10 months of age. During this stage, infants develop greater strength and coordination, which allows them to transition from sitting to crawling. At about 6 months, infants may start to demonstrate early movements such as rocking back and forth on their hands and knees, which is a precursor to crawling. By around 8 months, most children will begin to crawl in a more coordinated manner. By the 9-month mark, many children will have fully developed their crawling skills and may be moving around quite adeptly. This is essential for their exploration of the environment and further development of motor skills, as well as cognitive skills related to spatial awareness and problem-solving. While the choice reflecting 9 months is on the higher end of the typical range, many children do achieve crawling skills by then, and this response aligns with the general expectations of physical development milestones in infancy.