By what age should a child typically start to crawl?

A child typically starts to crawl around 9 to 10 months of age, marking an important stage in motor development. During this period, babies gain better control over their limbs and develop the strength necessary to move independently. Crawling is a complex motor skill that involves coordination and balance, and it serves not only as a means of mobility but also helps in sensory exploration of the environment, which is crucial for cognitive development.

Most children will start experimenting with crawling by this age, although some may begin a little earlier or later depending on individual growth patterns and developmental milestones. This phase of crawling is a precursor to walking, which usually happens within the following few months. Delays in crawling or significant deviations from this timeline can sometimes indicate developmental concerns, but minor variations are common.

The earlier ages provided in other choices may reflect developmental milestones for different activities, such as rolling over or sitting up, while the later options are generally associated with walking or advanced mobility skills in toddlers rather than the initial crawling stage.