Fine Motor Development 1

FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

1 - 2 YEAR OLDS
Fine motor is the way in which the small movements of the small muscles of the hands, wrists, fingers, toes, eyes and tongue are used.
Hand-eye co-ordination:
This is the ability to use the eyes to control the movements of the hands when executing a specific task.

Hand-toe co-ordination:
This refers to the ability to use the eyes to control the movements of the toes when executing a specific task.

Dexterity:
This is the accurate movement or manipulation of the fingers.

This Fine Motor Developmental Checklist should serve the following two purposes:

Use the checklist as a guide of Fine Motor development that you should be stimulating, through play or even through daily activities.

Should you find that your child is not developing according to several items on the checklist, it is advised that you consult with an Occupational Therapist, General Practitioner (GP), Pediatrician, etc. for further advice.

This list is a guide and should not be used for diagnostic purposes.

ONE YEAR (approximately)

Can put a finger into a hole or opening of a container.
Enjoys placing cubes into containers.
Can give and take round objects.
Is able to scribble on paper using crayons.
Throws objects onto the floor.
Can pile objects on top of each other, e.g. Building a small tower of blocks.
Can pick up small objects e.g. Crumbs.
Is able to place things into a bottle.
Enjoys releasing an object from his/her hand , giving the object away to someone, and receiving it back again.
Is aware of physical attributes of an object, eg. smooth/rough surfaces.
Delights in buttons, buckles, flowers and other bright objects.
Can see emotional expressions.
Begins to pick up a spoon at the tip of the handle.

18 MONTHS (approximately)

Can move objects from one hand to the other.
Is able to carry toys from one place to another, leaves it in the new place, and later returns to the toy.
Loves to help pack things back in their correct places, eg. packing the grocery items away.
Loves building towers with blocks and other objects
Can build a tower of three blocks using the different shapes, round, square and triangular.
Is able to turn the pages of a large book.
Loves to point at pictures, facial features, pets and other objects that he recognises.
Can now hold 4-6 objects in the hands when given to him individually.
Loves to wave good-bye.
Attempts to draw a vertical stroke on paper with a crayon.

TWO YEARS (approximately)

Watches own actions, especially in a mirror.
Watches situations first and then acts.
Is able to interrupt what he sees, stop the activity, and then continue with the activity.
Enjoys watching things that move with circular movements, eg. watching the wheels of a car turn.
Very fond of small objects, miniature things.
Is able to match the shape of an object to the shape of an opening.
Attempts to draw a horizontal line on paper with a crayon.
Loves building a “train” made of blocks.

Click here to play a FINE MOTOR SKILLS game with your child

		Can put a finger into a hole or opening of a container.
		Enjoys placing cubes into containers.
		Can give and take round objects.
		Is able to scribble on paper using crayons.
		Throws objects onto the floor.
		Can pile objects on top of each other, e.g. Building a small tower of blocks.
		Can pick up small objects e.g. Crumbs.
		Is able to place things into a bottle.
		Enjoys releasing an object from his/her hand , giving the object away to someone, and receiving it back again.
		Is aware of physical attributes of an object, eg. smooth/rough surfaces.
		Delights in buttons, buckles, flowers and other bright objects.
		Can see emotional expressions.
		Begins to pick up a spoon at the tip of the handle.

		Can move objects from one hand to the other. Is able to carry toys from one place to another, leaves it in the new place, and later returns to the toy.
		Loves to help pack things back in their correct places, eg. packing the grocery items away.
		Loves building towers with blocks and other objects
		Can build a tower of three blocks using the different shapes, round, square and triangular.
		Is able to turn the pages of a large book.
		Loves to point at pictures, facial features, pets and other objects that he recognises.
		Can now hold 4-6 objects in the hands when given to him individually.
		Loves to wave good-bye.
		Attempts to draw a vertical stroke on paper with a crayon.

		Watches own actions, especially in a mirror.
		Watches situations first and then acts.
		Is able to interrupt what he sees, stop the activity, and then continue with the activity.
		Enjoys watching things that move with circular movements, eg. watching the wheels of a car turn.
		Very fond of small objects, miniature things.
		Is able to match the shape of an object to the shape of an opening.
		Attempts to draw a horizontal line on paper with a crayon.
		Loves building a “train” made of blocks.