Motor skills enable the movements children need for everyday tasks, from playing and feeding themselves to moving from place to place. Typically, children develop certain motor skills at specific ages, but not every child will reach milestones at precisely the same time. A child with motor impairments has trouble moving in a controlled, coordinated, and efficient way. If your child seems to be delayed in developing fine or gross motor skills, they will likely undergo an assessment and may require physical or occupational therapy to catch up.
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skill activities involve manual dexterity and often require coordinating movements of the hands and fingers with the eyes, which is known as hand-eye coordination. The following are just a few examples of fine motor skills that typically occur at different phases of child development.
Birth to 3 Months
Uses arms to swing or “bat” at objects Watches hands move and brings them to the mouth
3 to 6 Months
Begins to transfer objects from one hand to anotherHolds own hands togetherReaches for toys using both arms
6 to 9 Months
Begins to grasp & hold onto objects, such as a bottle or toys Squeezes objects Uses a raking grasp to move objects with fingers
9 to 12 Months
Begins to show a preference for one hand over the otherPuts small objects in a cup or containerTurns pages in a book a few pages at a timeDevelops pincer grasp (using index finger and thumb to grasp objects)Feeds themselves finger foods
12 to 18 Months
Builds a tower two blocks highScoops objects with a spoon or small shovelClaps handsScribbles with crayons on paperWaves goodbye
18 Months to 2 Years
Begins holding a crayon with fingertips and thumbBuilds a tower three to four blocks highOpens loosely wrapped packages or containersTurns pages in a book one page at a timePuts rings on pegs
Age 2
Stacks a block tower nine blocks highTurns doorknobsWashes hands independentlyZips and unzips large zippersManipulates clay or play dough
Age 3
Folds a piece of paper in halfDraws a circle after being shown an exampleFastens and unfastens large buttons
Age 4
Gets dressed and undressed without helpTouches the tip of each finger to the thumbUses a fork correctly
Age 5
Cuts out a circleCopies a triangle shapeGrasps a pencil correctlyTies shoelaces
Age 6
Builds a small structure with blocksPuts a 16 to 20 piece puzzle togetherCuts well with scissorsUses a knife to cut food
You can encourage your baby to improve their fine motor skills by laying them under a play gym, using wrist or ankle rattles, or moving a colorful toy around so they can visually track it. For toddlers, activities that might improve fine motor skills include encouraging them to pick up objects with tongs, building with blocks, and doing craft projects. You can also encourage toddlers and preschoolers to play with play-dough, sponges, pasta, or water toys.
Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills are movements that involve large muscle groups and are generally more broad and energetic than fine motor movements. These movements include walking, kicking, jumping, and climbing stairs. Some milestones for gross motor skills also involve eye-hand coordination, such as throwing or catching a ball. The following are some examples of gross motor skills that typically occur at different phases of childhood development.
3 to 6 Months
Raises arms and legs when placed on the stomachRolls overSupports own head when in a sitting position
6 Months to 12 Months
CrawlsPulls self from a sitting to a standing positionSits without support
Age 1
Climbs onto low furnitureClimbs stairs with assistancePulls or pushes toys with wheelsWalks with one hand held
Age 2
Jumps using both feet simultaneouslyRuns very stiffly on toesWalks upstairs without a banister
Age 3
Rides tricycle using pedals, unassisted by an adultRuns without fallingThrows a ball to an adult standing 5 feet away
Age 4
Catches a ball with arms and bodyRuns smoothly with changes in speedWalks upstairs by alternating feet
Age 5
Catches a ball with two handsHops on one footPerforms jumping jacks and toe touchesWalks up and down the stairs while carrying objects
Age 6
Kicks rolling ballJumps over objects 10 inches highRides a bicycle with training wheelsThrows with accurate placement
Encourage your baby to work on their gross motor skills by doing lots of tummy time. Once they master that, encourage them to reach for (and later crawl towards) toys placed in front of them. To encourage your baby to walk, help them stand and take steps by holding their arms. With toddlers and preschoolers, encourage them to build forts, dance to songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” play pretend, and pull their toys in wagons.
Motor Skill Delays
Children with neurological conditions or developmental delays may have difficulty with fine motor skills. Difficulties with fine motor skills often aren’t diagnosed until preschool when it becomes more obvious that children are struggling with different school activities, such as learning to copy shapes or letters. Some children will be diagnosed with dysgraphia, a learning difference that affects writing skills, while others might be diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (DCD or dyspraxia), a condition that is still not widely understood. Kids with fine motor skill difficulties might need occupational therapy, modifications, or assistive technology. It may be easier to notice if your child isn’t reaching gross motor skill milestones than fine motor milestones because gross motor skills are among the most anticipated; you’re probably eagerly anticipating your baby rolling over, crawling, pulling themselves up along furniture, and taking their first steps. As a child grows, you note when they are running and playing and how well they do in physical games and sports. Children with neurological problems, developmental delays, or disabilities will usually be diagnosed by their pediatrician if they consistently miss major milestones. Gross motor skill delays may also be a sign of dyspraxia. If children’s gross motor delays affect movements, they may receive physical therapy to help with gross motor skills or they may need modifications or assistive technology to keep up with mobility or athletics.
A Word From Verywell
While each child is different, don’t hesitate to discuss any concerns about your child’s motor skills with your pediatrician. If your child is referred to occupational therapy or physical therapy, you will be involved in the therapy and will be given instructions on how to work with your child at home to build their motor skills.
