Fine motor development is about the movement of small muscles of the hand and arm that control the ability to scribble, write, draw, and do many other activities that require finger, hand, and hand-eye coordination.
Fine motor movements support many early self-help skills that help children build independence in meeting their own needs!
Here’s some examples of what most children are expected to do at ages 1 and 2 within this developmental domain.
1 year old:
- puts something in a container, like a block or a cup
- looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket
- uses hand-eye coordination to manipulate objects, like stacking blocks
2 year old:
- uses utensils to eat
- puts simple puzzles together
- strings large beads
There are also some key things to look for in each domain that can assist in detecting delays in development that may require additional support, or a developmental screening and evaluation.
Definition
Strategies
Developmental Milestones
Resources
Detecting Delays
Who to Contact
Screening/Monitoring