Kicks a ball

What is this milestone?

Balance and coordination

Your toddler can approach a stationary ball, swing their leg back, and kick it forward without completely losing their balance and falling.

Why it matters

Kicking a ball demonstrates advanced gross motor skills, requiring them to momentarily balance on one foot while the other foot performs a forceful, coordinated action.

What to expect leading up to it

Early kicks look more like walking into the ball or a clumsy, stiff-legged punt. They might completely miss the ball or fall backward a few times as they figure out the mechanics of shifting their weight.

How to encourage and support it

Start with a large, soft, lightweight ball (like a beach ball or soft foam ball) placed on a flat surface. Show them how to kick it gently, and make a game of kicking it back and forth in the hallway or yard.

When to talk to your doctor

Mention it if your child cannot kick a ball forward by around 26 months, cannot stand briefly on one foot with support, or seems unusually unsteady on their feet compared with other children their age. And at any age, if your baby loses a skill they already had, tell your pediatrician that week.