What should a 8-month-old be able to do in terms of gross motor skills?

An 8-month-old typically demonstrates significant advancements in gross motor skills. At this age, many infants can sit unsupported, which is a key milestone in their physical development. Sitting independently indicates that they have developed sufficient core strength, balance, and coordination to maintain an upright position without the support of their hands.

While rolling from back to front is a skill that many infants possess by this age, it is not as definitive a marker of gross motor development specifically for 8-month-olds as sitting unsupported is. Similarly, while many infants can stand with assistance, this skill becomes more robust as they approach the 9- to 12-month range. A pincer grasp, on the other hand, is associated more with fine motor skills, which typically begin to develop around this age but are not a direct reflection of gross motor abilities.

Thus, the ability to sit unsupported stands out as a clear indicator of the expected gross motor skill level for an 8-month-old.