Pediatrics: Skill Acquisition

Learning to use arms and hands

0-3 months

Noticing limbs & faces

Child can move both arms in wide circular motions

Swipe at toys or your face

Briefly hold objects placed in hand

Looks at your face

Watches your face or a toy

4-5 months

Meaningful exploration with arms and hands

Start to bring both hands together

Feels & explores with both hands (including inside mouth)

Reaches for toys with both arms

Grasp toys with whole hand and shakes for noise

Recognizes feeding bottle

Takes food off spoon

6 months

Strengthening motor control

Shakes and bangs toys

Move eyes independtly of head due to better head control

Transfers toys between hands

Finger feed on dry snacks

Drinks from cups held by an adult

7-9 months

Larger motor movements & better control

Pushes & pulls toys with wheels

Bangs 2 toys together

Feed themselves simple snacks

10-12 months

Learning fine motor skills

Picks up objects by pinching them

Uses index finger to point at and manipulate toys (joint attention)

Holds a spoon

Holds a cup with both hands & drink

Can take off socks

Lift arms or legs to help dressing

13-15 months

Exploring with hands and fingers

Grasps an object with the thumb on one side and index/middle finger on other

Builds tower with 2 blocks

Open and closes containers

Empty and fill containers with objects

Brings spoon to mouth (usually spills)