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Fine Motor Milestones

Birth to 3 months

  • Hands are in a fist, thumbs are tucked in
  • Baby’s arms move randomly in asymmetric patterns
  • Watches movements of her hands and can bring the hand to her mouth
  • Swings at a target using her entire arm
  • Follows a moving person with her eyes
  • Holds objects in hands

3-6 months

  • Picks up objects with one hand
  • Transfers objects from one hand to another
  • Looks at objects a few feet away
  • Holds hands together
  • Reaches for a toy using both arms and holds it briefly

6-9 months

  • Rakes tiny objects with fingers
  • Uses thumb and fingertips to grasp objects
  • Uses thumb and side of index finger to grip objects
  • Holds 2 objects, one in each hand, at the same time
  • Uses 2 hands to pick up large objects

9-12 month

  • Puts small objects in cup or other container
  • Turns book pages a few at a time
  • Attempts to imitate new gestures
  • Pokes and points at things using index finger
  • Grabs crayons in fist
  • Uses both hands and begins to show preference for one

12-18 months

  • Builds tower of 2 or more blocks
  • Marks with crayon or pencil
  • Marks a piece of paper with a crayon and scribbles imitatively
  • Stacks 2-3 cubes
  • Can hold an object with one hand and manipulate it with the other hand

18-24 months

  • Starts using fingers and thumb to grasp crayons
  • Imitates vertical and circular scribbles
  • Turns pages of a book one at a time
  • Strings 1-3 inch beads
  • Cuts paper using scissors
  • Builds tower with 3-5 blocks

3-4 years

  • Cuts across paper with small scissors
  • Draws or copies a complete circle

4-5 years

  • Prints first name (four letters)
  • Draws a person that has at least 3 parts- head, eyes, nose, etc.
  • Draws recognizable pictures

Learn About More Milestones

Fine Motor Milestones

Gross Motor Milestones

 

 
 
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