fine motor development

4 main aspects of hand function

type of grasp, pattern of reach, pattern of reach and grasp, pattern of release

0-3 mon

eye-to-eye contact

fix eyes on light

hands are fisted(thumb inside hand)

3-5 mon

eyes lock onto an object

hand regard: studies hands, brings them together at midline, clutches and unclutches them

visual exploration of environment

clumsy bilateral reaching(onset)

palmar grasp

5-7 mon

reaching in all directions but need trunk support

grasps feet in supine and sitting

ulnar grasp(pinky) changing to radial(thumb) palmar grasp

mouth used for exploration

7-9 mon

transfers obj from hand to hand

radial digital grasp(fingertips with opposed thumb)

offers blocks but can’t release(need to press against surface to release)

bangs 2 objects together

9-12 mon

pokes objects with index(can use indiv fingers)

grasps between fingers and thumb then one finger and thumb(pincer grasp)

release with gross opening of hand

fine pincer grasp(thumb and index tips)

13-18 mon

crayon in fist with thumb up

precise, controlled release

imitative scribble

19-24 mon

spontaneous scribble

24-36 mon

digital pronate: crayon with hands at top, thumb is directed down

imitates vertical then horizontal stroke

handedness

preference is finalized in preschool years

90% if preschoolers are right handed

more boys are lefties

3-4 years

copies circle

traces diamond with angles rounded

4-5 years

cuts straight line with scissors

use static tripod grasp of pencil

may start using finger grip(more tip)

can button small buttons

copies square

5-6 years

dynamic tripod grasp(foundation of precise writing)

copies triangle

pencil grasping

13-18 mon: palmar-supinate grasp of pencil

24-36: digital pronate

4-5 yrs: static tripod grasp

5-6 yrs: dynamic tripod grasp

6 yrs

zipper

pencil moves while hand rests on table

copies diamond

7

small, controlled marks with pencils due to more refined finger dexterity

8 yrs

throws and bats

plays fine motor skill games

9 yrs

high level of fine-motor skill

model building

10

adult skill levels reached around 9-10