Fine Motor Development
Fine motor coordination involves the ability to control the small muscles of the body and is usually defined as the ability to coordinate the action of the eyes and hands together in performing precise manipulative movements (eye-hand coordination). Please remember that all children develop at different rates, the information below sequences motor development, it is not absolute.
18-24 months
18-24 months
- Scribbles confined to page
- Grasps scissors
- Open/close hand to snip paper
2-3 years
2-3 years
- Imitates vertical, horizontal, and circular strokes
- Holds a pencil with thumb and fingers
3-4 Years
3-4 Years
- Draws man with head, arms & legs
- Tripod grasps develop for writing
- Cuts on straight then curved lines
- Scribbles within lines
- Imitates crosses
4-5 Years
4-5 Years
- Draws detailed man with head, eyes, arms,legs
- Perform simple tracing/maze activities
- Copy crosses, squares and diagonal lines
- Color within line
- Attempt to form both letters and numbers on paper
5 Years
5 Years
- Copy triangles, diagonal cross shapes and some words with accuracy
- Some write their names
- Controlled movements to form letters with little awareness of spacing/size of letters
9-10 Years
9-10 Years
- Begins to form 3 dimensional designs
- Writes connected cursive alphabet in 30 seconds
10-11 Years
10-11 Years
- Writes connected cursive alphabet in 25 seconds
11-12 Years
11-12 Years
- Writes connected cursive alphabet in 20 seconds
American Academy of Pediatrics - Additional resources regarding development