Child Development Milestones: Gross and Fine Motor Skills infant-preschooler

2 mo infant (gross motor)

-Holds head up when prone

-Moves all four extremities

4 mo infant (gross motor)

-Holds head steady without support

-When prone, pushes up on forearms/elbows

6 mo infant (gross motor)

-Tripod sits

-When prone, uses arms to push up straight

9 mo infant (gross motor)

-Sits unsupported

-Gets to sitting on own

12 mo infant (gross motor) (fine)

-Pulls to stand

-Cruises (walks holding onto furniture)

2 mo infant (fine)

Briefly opens hands

4 mo infant (fine)

-Bats at objects

-Holds toy when put in hand

-Brings hands to mouth

6 month infant (fine)

Reaches for desired item

9 mo infant (fine)

-Gross pincer grasp (rakes) whole hand

-Transfers objects from one hand to the other

12 mo infant (fine)

-fine pincher grasp thumb to finger

15 mo toddler gross

takes few steps on own

15 mo toddler fine

feeds self finger food

18 mo toddler gross

-Walks independently

-Climbs on/off furniture

-Climbs stairs with assistance

-Seats self in chair

18 mo toddler fine

-Scribbles

-Tries to use a spoon

-Throws a ball

-Stacks three to four cubes

24 mo toddler gross

-Runs

-Kicks ball

-Walks upstairs with assistance (not climbing)

24 mi toddler fine

-Eats with a spoon

-Stacks six to seven cubes

-Points to named pictures and objects

-Starting to turn knobs

30 mo toddler gross

jumps with both feet

30 mo toddler fine

-Turns knobs

-Turns book page one at a time

-Takes off some clothing items

36 mo toddler gross

Puts on some clothes by self

36 mo toddler fine

-Strings items together

-Uses a fork

-Puts on some clothes by self

-Copies circle

3 years preschooler gross motor skills

• Climbs well

• Pedals tricycle

• Runs easily

• Walks up and down stairs with alternate feet

• Bends over easily without falling

3 years preschooler fine

• Undresses self, puts on loose clothing items independently

• Uses a fork

• Builds a tower of 9 or 10 cubes

• Strings beads or macaroni

• Screws/unscrews lids, nuts, bolts

• Copies circle

4 years preschooler gross

• Throws ball overhand

• Kicks ball forward

• Catches bounced ball

• Stands on one foot for up to 5 seconds

• Alternates feet going up and down steps

• Moves backward and forward with agility

4 years preschooler fine

• Uses scissors successfully

• Copies capital letters

• Draws circles and squares

• Traces a cross or diamond

• Draws a person with two to four body parts

• Laces shoes

5 years preschooler gross

• Hops on one foot

• Stands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer

• Swings and climbs well

• May skip

• Somersaults

• May learn to skate and swim

5 years preschooler fine

• Prints some letters

• Draws a person with a body and at least six parts

• Fastens some buttons

• Dresses/undresses without assistance

• Can learn to tie laces

• Uses fork, spoon, and knife (supervised) well

• Copies triangle and other geometric patterns

• Mostly cares for own toileting needs