MS2, E2: Baby Development 3–6 Month: Essential Physio Activities for Rolling, Reaching & Sitting

In today’s episode, Lisa shares physiotherapy-based baby development activities designed specifically for the 3–6 month baby development stage. This episode is packed with simple, practical exercises that support your baby's gross motor skills, tummy time tolerance, rolling, head control, and sitting.

Rather than focusing on age alone, Lisa teaches you how to assess your baby’s motor milestones and choose the right activities based on ability, not age.

⭐ What Your Baby Should Be Doing To Start this Stage's Activities:

• Spend calm, awake time on their backs, tummies, or sides
• Bring their hands to midline on their backs
• Show early core strength through leg lifting 
• Hold their head up briefly during tummy time

⭐ Baby Development Activities You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Back-Lying Activities

Improve core strength, reaching, and leg awareness:

• Head lifting and gentle flexion exercises
• Encouraging babies to bring hands to knees and feet
• Introducing toys to support baby reaching development
• Fun “up, up, up… boom!” leg-dropping game to build tummy strength

2. Tummy Time Activities 

Boost baby neck strength, shoulder stability, and tolerance for tummy time:

• Extended plank position with elbows under shoulders
• Encouraging side-to-side head turning
• Early "mini cobra" position to strengthen the upper body
• Reaching on elbows (early early weight-shifting)
• Increasing time spent in tummy time as strength improves

3. Side-Lying Play

Encourages balanced development:

• Baby plays on both sides

4. Teaching Baby to Roll (Back→Tummy & Tummy→Back)

Lisa teaches step-by-step how to teach your baby to roll, including:

• Using attractive toys to motivate movement
• How to scoop and position legs safely
• The correct arm and pelvis placement for successful rolling
• Using verbal cues to help baby anticipate movement
• Building rolling confidence through repetition

Rolling delays are extremely common now—this step is key for babies who are “happy on their back” but reluctant to move.

5. Early Supported Sitting

When your baby is ready, you’ll learn:

• How to safely support your baby’s torso and hips
• The best sitting positions to avoid slumping
• How to encourage upright head control
• Using your legs and cushions for support
• How to progress gradually to reduce your support over time

⭐ 3–6 Month Development Red Flags

If your baby is around six months old, contact your GP or health visitor if you notice:

• Baby is not reaching for toys
• Baby struggles to lift head during tummy time
• Baby cannot maintain head control when being carried
• Hands frequently tightly fisted
• Baby seems very stiff or very floppy

Early support can make a big difference — Lisa also offers physiotherapy support and baby development consultations for families needing extra help.

⭐ Links Mentioned

• High-contrast baby development socks and wrist rattles: Here
• Head shape & flat head syndrome resources: Here
• Baby development guides and consultations available on Lisa’s website: Here

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on:

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!