Fine Motor Skills

Newborn

• Random arm movements

• Reflexive hand to mouth contact in side-lying

• Strong grasp reflex

• Hands open as arms stretch out

1-2 Months

• Briefly retains object placed in hand

• Reflexive scratching and clutching on blanket

• Head turns and eyes fixate on the hand of an outstretched arm

3-5 Months

Purposeful reach and swipe with arms

6 Months

• Can reach while on belly without losing balance

• Consistent, purposeful reach with vision guiding

• Transfers object form hand to hand

• Consistent grasp with palm

• Shakes and bangs toys

7-9 Months

• Reaches in all directions

• Plays using arms (“So Big”, Peek a Boo”, Pat a Cake”)

• Pokes with index finger

• Rakes tiny object with fingers

• Grasps with the thumb side of the hand

• Releases objects in space and into large containers

• Assists with cup and spoon feeding

• Finger feeds greater variety of food sizes and shapes

10-12 Months

• Grasps using thumb and next two fingers

• Pincer grasp with pad of thumb and index finger at 10 months

• Places one block on top of another without balancing

• Removes socks; finger feeding and cup drinking improve

• Imitates adult’s use of tools (brushing hair)

• Uses hands to push, pull, squeeze, rotate

• Bangs two cubes held in each hand

12-24 Months

• Points with index finger

• Places many objects into a container without removing any

• Places round piece, then square piece, then triangle into form-board

• Places tiny objects in small mouth container

• Uses both hands together at middle of body

• Stacks 2-6 cube tower

• Scribbles spontaneously

• Imitates a vertical stroke

• Imitates a circular stroke

2-3 Years

• Stack tower of 6-8 blocks

• Turns single pages in book

• Imitates, then copies drawing a vertical line, horizontal line, and circle

• Pushes, winds, slides to activate toy

• Unscrews and screws jar lids

• Strings several large beads (1-1.5 inches)

• Holds crayon with thumb and fingers

• Uses scissors to snip into paper

3-4 Years

• Stacks tower of 9-10 blocks

• Imitates a 4 block design

• Folds and creases paper

• Completes a 3-8 piece inset puzzle

• Strings small beads

• Holds pencil with thumb and fingers

• Imitates, then copies a cross

• Draws a 2 part person

• Grossly colors one image on page and attempts to stay within lines

• Uses scissors to cut forward on a thick line (6 × ¼ inch)

• Snaps clothing

• Uses spoon and fork with little to no spilling.

4-5 Years

• Imitates a 4-6 block design

• Laces sewing card

• Copies diagonal line

• Imitates a square and triangle

• Imitates an X

• Draws a 3 part person

• Buttons front opening clothing

• Opens all fasteners

• Uses scissors to cut out a circle, square, and triangle

5-6 Years

• Builds complex structures with Legos, Tinker Toys, or similar toys

• Complete 10-25 piece interlocking puzzle

• Copies a triangle

• Imitate, then copies a rectangle

• Connects two dots with a straight line

• Colors numerous small areas with attention to accuracy and color

• Copies, then prints first name from memory

• Copies letters and numbers

• Draws a person with head, facial parts, arms, legs, trunk, hands, and feet

• Uses scissors to cut out simple, then complex figures

• Draws simple picture

• Ties laces into a bow

• Cuts soft food with a safety knife