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Fine motor skills start to develop as early as infancy, and continue to develop well into childhood. There are a lot of factors that can influence development of fine motor skills, including vision, sensory profile, and child's interests. See below for a general guideline on development of early skills.
DISCLAIMER: Please remember that every child develops on their own timeline, and the ages indicated below are only meant to be used as a guide.
0-6 months
0-6 months
It is common for newborns to keep their hands 'fisted' for the first few months of life. They will gradually start to open more around 3-4 months of age.
Initially, they may 'automatically' grasp your finger when you place it in their palm - this is a reflex called the palmar grasp reflex.
Your baby will start reaching their arms towards objects of interest when laying on their back or their side.
They may grasp an item that's placed in their hands, and eventually work towards reaching towards and item and grasping it using their whole hand.
Tummy time is important for building strength in the big muscles (shoulders and arms) that help support fine motor development.
Bringing hands to mouth
Fine motor toys at this age:
Light, easy to hold rattles
Play mats with light, soft toys hanging overhead
Easy to hold teething toys
6-9 months
6-9 months
Starts to transfer objects from one hand to the other
Grasping different shapes and sized toys
Around 9 months, will start to use fingers (rather than whole hand) to try to pick up smaller items; it takes a few more months to further refine that 'pincer' grasp though
Holding items in two hands and banging them together
Clapping hands in immitation of someone else
Lots of motor imitation starting to emerge (sees someone else do something, and copies it; such as banging on the tray, clapping, etc)
Fine Motor Toys at this Age:
Cause and effect toys (baby touches it and it makes noise, for example)
Blocks and other manipulatives that are not choking risk size
Containers & blocks
Books
9-12 Months
9-12 Months
Will start to intentionally 'release' something from their hand to a targeted area (first, maybe to give you an item; then, to release into a container)
Pincer grasp becomes more 'precise' (using index finger and thumb to pick up small items)
Holding a spoon to participate in feeding
Trying to turn pages of a board book
Fine Motor Toys for This Age:
Blocks
Books
Containers
Cause and Effect Toys
12-18 months
12-18 months
Movements become more coordinated - it becomes easier to put items into smaller openings, for example
Stacking blocks to make a tower - bigger blocks will be easier to stack initially
Isolating pointer finger
Matching circle shapes in shape sorter or formboard puzzle
Fine Motor Toys for this Age:
You can stack anything you already have around the house! Empty kleenex boxes, tupperware containers, etc.
Shape sorting containers and simple formboard/chunky wooden puzzles
Board books
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The content on this site was reviewed by KidsInclusive staff and is consistent with evidence-informed practice at the time of publishing.
These links and content do not replace the advice of doctors and therapists. Always consult with your therapist if you have questions or concerns.
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