Fine Motor Development - Manipulative Skills Birth to 18 Months

Fine motor skills involve the muscles in the fingers and hands that are used to grasp and hold, cut, draw, button, and write.

• At 1 month, an infant grasps and holds ring
• At 2 1/2 months, an infant open and relaxes hand
• At 3 months, an infant reaches for ring
• At 3 1/2 months, infants closes on dangling ring
• At 3 1/2 months, infants fingers hand in play
• At 3 3/4 months, Palmar grasp
• At 8 3/4, Neat pincer grasp
• At 9 3/4 months, infants play Patty cake
• At 14 months, infants scribble spontaneously

Possible materials to support Large and Small Motor Development include:

• Filling and dumping container with objects that children can drop or scoop something into and take out again
• Large wooden cubes to push about and climb into
• Push toys and pull toys
• Supervised bucket swings
• Mirror and/or pull up bar mounted on the wall, and
• Small stairs, platforms, ramps, and other furniture and equipment

This is a great game to play with babies to help them get used to being on their back and stomach. Start baby on her back and chant through this rhythm as you do the motions: “Rub a baby belly – pat, pat, pat. Rub a baby belly – just like that!” Then roll the baby over gently onto her belly. “Rrrooooooll over baby!” “ Rub a baby back – pat, pat, pat....” etc. Once the baby learns what is coming next she will anticipate the exaggerated “Rrrooooooll Over!”.

Related Training:
Stages of Physical Growth and Development in Infants (1 hour / .1 CEU)

Assessing Childrens Physical Development (2 hours / .2 CEU)