What is a key gross motor milestone for infants at 3 months?

At 3 months of age, a significant gross motor milestone for infants is the development of neck control. During this period, infants begin to gain strength in their neck muscles, which allows them to hold their head up while lying on their stomach and when being held. This head control is crucial as it lays the foundation for further motor skills, such as rolling over, sitting up, and eventually crawling.

Walking without support, crawling, and sitting independently are milestones that occur later in infancy. Walking typically begins around 9 to 15 months, while crawling starts between 6 to 10 months, and independent sitting usually develops around 6 months of age. Therefore, neck control at 3 months is a distinct and essential milestone in the progression of gross motor skills, marking an important step in an infant's developmental journey.