OT Tip

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This week I want to focus on age appropriate fine motor skills. Did you know that as soon as your baby is born, they are starting to develop their fine motor skills. Most parents probably don't even realize that there are activities you can do at this young age to help develop great fine motor skills.

So in order to know what is age appropriate for your child, here are the list of skills your child is learning so should be learning at each age!


0-3 MONTHS

hands most often remain closed has grasp reflex (grasps objects involuntarily if placed in palm) 2-4 MONTHS reaches for ("swipes at") objects inaccurately 3-3 1/2 MONTHS clasps hands together often 3 1/2- 4 MONTHS 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 "rakes" or "scoops" small objects to pick them up (i.e. using fingers/palm/whole hand to scoop up Cheerios, raisins etc. 7-9 MONTHS intentionally able to drop/release objects (get ready for the "watch-me-drop-this-watch-mommy/daddy-pick-it-up-AGAIN" game!) 7-12 MONTHS able to pick up small objects using thumb and finger/fingers 10 MONTHS pokes and/or points with index finger 12-18 MONTHS holds crayon with whole hand, thumb up 2 YEARS holds crayon with thumb and all fingers, forearm turned so thumb is pointing 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 2 1/2- 3 YEARS strings large beads snips paper with scissors rolls clay/playdoh into "snake" can draw and copy a horizontal line 3-3 1/2 YEARS able to complete simple puzzles can build a tower of nine small blocks or more can get himself dressed/undressed independently; only needs help with buttons; 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 3 1/2- 4 YEARS can pour his own drink from a pitcher if not too heavy can place small pegs into small holes able to string small beads can hold a pencil with a "tripod grasp" (3 fingers), but moves forearm and wrist to write/draw/color 4-4 1/2 YEARS can use scissors to follow and cut both straight and curved lines can manage buttons, zippers, and snaps completely can draw and copy a cross (one vertical and one horizontal intersecting lines) 4 1/2- 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 food items (jelly, peanut butter, mayo etc.), uses a dull knife to cut soft foods able to draw and copy a diagonal line uses a "tripod grasp" on writing utensils (thumb & tips of 1st two fingers) and uses fingers only (because small muscles of hand have developed) to write/draw/color   5 1/2- 6 YEARS can build a five block "bridge" sufficient bilateral hand coordination to cut out complex pictures, accurately following the outline able to copy a sequence of letters or numbers correctly 6 YEARS able to complete complex puzzles

Fine Motor Development Chart from Sensory Processing Disorder.com

Another great resource is from the University of Michigan Health System website. They have each age broken down with ideas to develop fine motor skills at each age. And don't worry, if your baby or child is/was a preemie they have a section for you too with corrected age milestones.

Next week we will start at the beginning and give ideas for each age group of ways to help develop your child's fine motor skills!

Disclaimer: I am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. The advise in these tips is not a replacement for medical advise from a physician or your pediatrician. Please consult their advice if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child.