Typical Fine Motor Development

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6 to 9 Months

• Grasps and holds objects
• Holds one object while looking for another
• Pokes at objects with index finger
• Puts objects in mouth
• Feels and explores objects with mouth
• Holds bottle
• Squeezes and shakes toys
• Plays with own hands

9 to 12 Months

• Feeds self by picking up food with fingers
• Uses thumb and index finger (pincer grasp) to grasp objects
• Transfers objects from one hand to another
• Holds two small objects in one hand

12 to 18 Months

• Builds tower of two cubes
• Claps hands
• Waves "bye-bye"
• Scoops with spoon or shovel
• Bangs together two objects held in hands
• Puts small objects into containers
• Scribbles

18 Months to Age 2 Years

• Puts rings on pegs
• Removes pegs from a pegboard
• Marks or scribbles with pencil or crayon
• Builds tower three to four blocks tall
• Opens loosely wrapped small objects (e.g., candies)

Age 2 Years

• Manipulates clay
• Turns doorknobs
• Picks up small objects with pincer grasp
• Completes three-piece puzzle
• Scribbles
• Cuts paper with scissors
• Strings large beads
• Opens and closes large zippers
• Uses spoon effectively
• Nests objects (inserts one inside the other) graduated in size

Age 3 Years

• Draws circle after being shown model
• Strings half-inch beads
• Cuts along a line
• Makes clay flat "cakes," rolled "ropes," and balls
• Sorts objects
• Fastens and unfastens large front buttons

Age 4 Years

• Traces vertical and horizontal lines
• Cuts while moving paper
• Completes puzzles with four to five pieces
• Uses fork effectively
• Dresses and undresses unassisted
• Draws cross (+) when shown an example

Age 5 Years

• Grasps pencil correctly
• Prints simple words
• Cuts circle
• Opens lock with key
• Makes recognizable objects with clay
• Draws diamond when shown an example

Age 6 Years

• Copies first name
• Builds structure with small blocks
• Completes a puzzle with sixteen to twenty pieces
• Dials telephone
• Uses knife to cut soft foods
• Draws person with six or more parts
• Draws line with ruler