fine motor manipulation

Question 1

Follows moving person with eyes
Develops accurate reach to object
Uses variety of palmar grasping patterns Secures object with hand and brings to mouth Transfers objects hand-to-hand
Examines objects carefully with eyes
Plays with hands at midline

Answer 1

Birth–6 months

Question 2

Mouths toys
Uses accurate and direct reach for toys
Plays with toys at midline; transfers hand to hand
Bangs objects together to make sounds
Waves toys in air
Releases toys into container
Rolls ball to adult
Grasps small objects in fingertips
Points to toys with index finger, user index finger to explore toys

Answer 2

6–12 months

Question 3

Holds crayon and makes marks; scribbles
Holds two toys in hand and toys in both hands
Releases toys inside containers, even small containers
Stacks blocks and fits toys into form space (places pieces in board) Attempts puzzles
Opens and shuts toy boxes or containers
Points to pictures with index finger
Uses two hands in play, one to hold or stabilize and one to manipulate

Answer 3

12–18 months

Question 4

Completes four- to five-piece puzzle
Builds towers (e.g., four blocks)
Holds crayon in fingertips and draws simple figures (straight stroke or circular stroke) Strings beads
Begins to use simple tools (e.g., play hammer)
Participates in multipart tasks
Turns pages of book

Answer 4

18–24 months

Question 5

Snips with scissors
Traces form, such as a cross
Colors in large forms
Draws circles accurately
Builds towers and lines up objects Holds crayon with dexterity
Completes puzzles of four to five pieces Plays with toys with moving parts

Answer 5

24–36 months

Question 6

Uses precision (tripod) grasp on pencil or crayon
Colors within lines
Copies simple shapes; begins to copy leers
Uses scissors to cut; cuts simple shapes
Constructs three-dimensional design (e.g., three-block bridge) Manipulates objects within the hand

Answer 6

3–4 years

Question 7

Draws using a dynamic tripod grasp
Copies simple shapes
Completes puzzles of up to 10 pieces
Uses scissors to cut out squares and other simple shapes Colors within the lines
Uses two hands together well, one stabilizing paper or object and the other manipulating object Draws stick figure or may begin to draw trunk and arms
Copies own name
Strings small beads

Answer 7

4–5 years

Question 8

Cuts with scissors
Prints name from copy
Copies triangle; traces diamond
Completes puzzles of up to 20 pieces
Traces leers, begins to copy leers
Manipulates tiny objects in fingertips without dropping Uses two hands together in complementary movements

Answer 8

5–6 years

Question 9

Good dexterity for crafts and construction with small objects Bilateral coordination for building complex structure Precision and motor planning evident in drawing
Motor planning evident in completion of complex puzzles

Answer 9

6–10 years