Helping all children become happy learners
Fine Motor Skills Development
Introduction
Fine motor skills is a term used to describe our ability to coordinate small and accurate movements. It also more specifically refers to the coordination of the small muscles in the hand in conjunction with the eyes. Fine motor skills are necessary for us to do everyday things like grasp and manipulate objects, dress ourselves and write or type.
The chart below gives an approximate guide to fine-motor skill development in childhood. It is important to remember that all children develop at different rates and that the milestones are based on the average child. Some children will develop these skills sooner and some later. It is important that you seek support from a professional if you are concerned about your child's development.
0-3 months
hands most often remain closed
has involuntary grasp reflex when objects placed in palm
2-4 months
reaches for objects inaccurately
3-4 months
clasps hands together often
begins purposeful, visually directed reaching
3-7 months
can hold small objects in hand
4-8 months
can transfer objects from one hand to the other
can pick up cube/medium sized object easily
4-10 months
develops accurate forward and side reach
5-9 months
whole hand used to rake or scoop small objects to pick them up
7-9 months
intentionally able to drop/release objects
8-12 months
able to pick up small objects using thumb and finger/fingers
pokes and/or points with index finger
1-1½ years
holds crayon or pencil with whole hand, thumb up
2 years
holds crayon with whole hand, forearm turned so thumb is down
puts on shoes, socks, and shorts; takes off shoes and socks
can use a spoon by himself, keeping it upright
can draw and copy a vertical line
2½-3 years
strings large beads
snips paper with scissors
rolls clay/plasticine into "snake"
can draw and copy a horizontal line
3-3½ years
able to complete simple puzzles
can build a tower of nine small blocks or more
only needs help with buttons when getting dressed/undressed
still confuses front/back for clothes, and right/left for shoes
can feed himself with little or no spilling
drinks from a cup/glass with one hand
3½-4 years
can pour his own drink from a jug if not too heavy
able to string small beads
can hold a pencil with a "tripod grasp" (3 fingers) but still moves forearm and wrist to write/draw/colour
4-4½ years
can use scissors to follow and cut both straight and curved lines
can manage buttons, zippers, and stud fastenings
can draw & copy a cross (vertical & horizontal intersecting lines)
4½-5 years
can hold fork using his fingers
can feed himself soup with little or no spilling
folds paper in half, making sure the edges meet
puts a key in a lock and opens it
5 years
can get dressed completely by himself, and usually tie shoelaces
cuts square, triangle, circle, and simple pictures with scissors
uses a knife to spread jam
uses a knife to cut soft foods
able to draw and copy a diagonal line
uses a 'tripod grasp' (thumb ane tips of first two fingers) and can now write, draw and colour using hand movement only
5½-6 years
can build a five block "bridge"
sufficient bilateral hand coordination to cut out complex pictures
able to copy a sequence of letters or numbers correctly
6 years
able to complete complex puzzles
By 6 years the majority of children will have developed their fine motor skills to be able to cope with everyday tasks like dressing & feeding themselves. They have the dexterity & eye-hand coordination to complete writing, art & craft activites. Fine motor ability continues to develop as children refine and practice skills.
