Fine Motor Milestones

Ages birth – 2 months:

  • Has a strong grasp; Opens and closes fists

  • Brings hand to, or near mouth 

  • Arms stretch out and hands open 

  • Scratches fingers along blanket or clothing

  • Looks toward outstretched hand (often eliciting the ATNR reflex)

Ages 3 - 5 months:

  • Holds a toy when placed in hand

  • Uses arms to purposely swing at toys

  • Brings hands to mouth consistently

  • Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy

Ages 6 months:

  • Consistent, purposeful reach using vision to guide movement

  • Transfers objects hand to hand

  • Finger feeds large foods (e.g., biscuit)

  • Shakes/bangs toys 

  • Leans on hand/s to support seated position

Ages 7 - 9 months:

  • Plays using arms (Peek-A-Boo; So Big!)

  • Index finger use to “poke” 

  • Raking cereal with fingers to grasp 

  • Purposeful grasp and release of objects into containers

  • Grasp on thumb side of hand 

Ages 10 - 12 months:

  • Grasps with thumb and 2 fingers

  • Pincer grasp develops; picks up cereal/small objects with thumb and index finger

  • Imitates tool use (e.g. brushing hair, using a toothbrush)

  • Uses hands to push, pull, squeeze and rotate

  • Removes socks 

  • Stacks blocks; may not balance them

Ages 12 - 24 months:

  • Self-feeds using hands or utensils

  • Points with index finger

  • Complete simple form shape puzzles (circle, square, then triangle)

  • Brings hands together to midline for use 

  • Scribbles on paper spontaneously 

  • Holds crayon with fisted hand

  • Stacks 2-6 block tower

Ages 2 - 3 years:

  • Pushes, winds, slides to activate toys

  • Self-feeds with utensils and open cup, some spillage. 

  • Screws/unscrews lids

  • Strings several large, 1 -1.5  inch beads

  • Imitates, eventually copies from a model, vertical, horizontal lines, and circle 

  • Holds crayon with thumb and fingers

  • Stacks 6-8 block tower, begins to follow block designs

  • Uses scissors to snip paper

  • Turns single pages in book

Ages 3 - 4 years:

  • Self-feeds with utensils and open cup, little spillage.

  • Strings small beads

  • Snaps clothing, zips with assistance, begins to manipulate large buttons

  • Folds and creases paper

  • Imitates, then copies a cross (“t”) 

  • Draws a two-part person

  • Holds pencil with thumb and fingers

  • Stack 9-10 block tower, begins to copy block designs (train, bridge, wall)

  • Uses scissor to cut along a thick, straight line 

Ages 4 - 5 years:

  • Self-feeds with utensils and an open cup, no spillage.

  • Imitates 4-6 part block designs

  • Buttons clothes

  • Laces sewing card

  • Opens all fasteners

  • Imitates then copies a diagonal line, square, triangle, and X

  • Draws a 3 part person

  • Uses scissors to cut simple shapes 

Ages 5 - 6 years:

  • Builds complex designs with Legos, Tinker toys, etc. 

  • Imitates, then copies a rectangle

  • Connects two dots with straight line

  • Copies, then prints first name from memory

  • Copies letters and numbers

  • Draws an 6 part (or more) person, and recognizable pictures

  • Uses scissors to cut complex shapes

  • Ties laces together 

  • Cuts food with butter knife