Fine Motor Milestones

eye-to-eye contact

0-3 months

fixes eyes on light

0-3 months

eyes follow object to midline

1 month

eyes follow object past midline

2 months

can move eyes over 180 degrees

0-3 months

hands are fisted

0-3 months

lock eyes on an object and follow it

3-5 months

hand regard (studying hands, bringing them together, clutches and unclutches, bringing hands to midline)

3-5 months

visual exploration of movement and directed reach

3-5 months

clumsy reaching

3-5 months

clutches clothes, body, face, and mouth

3-5 months

grasps objects placed in hand

3-5 months

reaching successfully in all directions

5-7 months (but this is dependent on trunk balance)

bilateral and unilateral reach with finger extension

5-7 months

can grasp onto feet in supine and sitting with thumbs pressed into opposition (using opposable aspect of the thumb)

5-7 months

maintains grip on stationary object

5-7 months

ulnar grasp turns into more radial palmar grasp

5-7 months

flexed wrist becomes straight

7 months

mirror movements of grasp with opposite hand

5-7 months

moves head and eyes independent of each other

5-7 months

rakes small pellet with now adducting thumb

5-7 months

mouths everything for exploration

5-7 months

transfers object from hand to hand

7-9 months

unilateral reach and grasp (wrist extends now)

7-9 months

radial digital grasp (and what is it)

7-9 months; using fingertips and thumb to pinch

holding 2 things at once

7-9 months

offers cube but cannot release slow so just drops

7-9 months

bangs 2 objects together

7-9 months

pokes/protrudes index finger

9-12 months

pincer grasp

9-12 months

reach and grasp in all possible directions w/ supination and arm control

9-12 months

anticipatory grasp

9-12 months

actual release with gross opening of hand

9-12 months

looks for fallen toy (permanance of objects)

9-12 months

casts toys away

9-12 months

no voluntary grasp reflex or involuntary grasp

0-3 months

holds object between fingers and palm (palmar grasp)

4-5 months

holds object in palm with fingers and palm (radial palmar grasp)

5-7 months

grasps small pellet between thumb and index fingers (pincer grasp)

9-12 months

grasps small pellet between tips of thumb and index finger with other fingers tucked out ot the way (fine pincer grasp)

9-12 months

crayon is held in fist (palmar supinate grasp)

13-18 months

precise controlled release into small container

13-18 months

immitative scribble

13-18 months

spontaneous scribble

19-24 months

crayon is held with fingers and hand on top, forearm turned so thumb is directed down (digital pronate)

24-36 months

can imitate vertical, then horizontal stroke

24-36 months

handedness begins in what period

preschoolers

copies circles

3-4 y/o

traces diamond with rounded angles

3-4 y/o

cuts straight line with scissors

4-5 y/o

static tripod grasp on pencil

4-5 y/o

may begin to hold pencil in finger grip

4-5 y/o

buttons small buttons

4-5 y/o

copies square

4-5 y/o

dynamic tripod grasp on pencil

5-6 y/o

copies triangle

5-6 y/o

fist grasp aka palmar supinate grasp

15-18 months

digital pronate grasp

24-36 months

static tripod grasp

4-6 y/o

dynamic tripod grasp

5-6 y/o

connect zipper on coat

6 y/o

may tie shoes

6 y/o

moves pencil while other hand rests on table

6 y/o

copies diamond

6 y/o

makes small controlled marks with pencil

7 y/o

throws and bats balls more skillfully

8 y/o

increased fine motor capabilities for games

8 y/o

better reaction time

8 y/o

enjoys hobbies requiring increased fine motor skill like sewing and legos

9 y/o

fine motor development reaches adult skill level

9-10 y/o

immitate scribble

13-18 months

spontaneous scribble

18-24 months

imitate vertical then horizontal line

24-36 months

copies circle

3-4 y/o

copies cross

4-4.5 y/o

copies square

4.5-5 y/o

copies triangle

5-6 y/o

copies diamond

6 y/o