Introduction

• Reflexes phase out as higher skills take over

• Babies learn to perceive and respond to environment around them

• Motor development is dynamic and multisensory process

• Divided into gross and fine motor skill development

Gross Motor Skills

• Gross motor skills: motor skills that invoke large-muscle activities.

  • Development of posture.

  • Learning to walk.

  • Involve arms, legs, head, torso in babies

• First-year gross milestones culminate with walking steadily.

• Development in the second year:

  • More independent; increased mobile: pull toys, climb stairs.

  • Natural exercise: walk quickly, run stiffly.

Fine Motor Skills

• Fine motor skills: motor skills that involve small muscles; finely tuned movements

  • Finger dexterity (thumb and forefinger).

  • Two types of grasps: palmar and pincer.

  • Wrists and hands turn and rotate more.

• Experience plays a significant role.

• Developmental milestones: Fine Motor Ages 0 – 2

  • 0-3 months

    • Brings hands to mouth

    • Moves arms

    • May swing arms at toys

    • Hands start to open more

  • 3-6 months

    • Holds small object in hand (without thumb tucked in hand)

    • Holds hands together

    • Reaches for toys with both arms

    • Pushes up on arms when on tummy

    • Briefly holds a toy like a rattle

    • Follows objects with eyes in all directions

  • 6-9 months

    • Shakes and bangs rattles

    • Brings toys to mouth

    • Uses a raking grasp

    • Transfers objects from one hand to the other

    • Keeps hands open and relaxed most of the time

    • Starting to have the ability to pick up small foods like Cheerios

  • 9-12 months

    • Able to release an object voluntarily

    • Gives toy to a caregiver when asked

    • Bangs two toys together

    • Turns pages of a book a few pages at a time

    • Begins to put objects into a container

    • Points to objects

    • Stacks 2 blocks

  • 12-18 months

    • Claps hands together

    • Puts objects and toys into containers

    • Waves goodbye

    • Uses both hands to play

    • Can isolate index finger with other fingers closed

    • Scribbles with a crayon

    • Beginning to use a spoon and cup

  • 18-24 months

    • Can build a block tower using 3-4 blocks

    • Puts rings on a ring stacker

    • Turns pages of a book one at a time

    • Begins holding crayons with finger tips and thumbs