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Fine motor skills during the first year of life involve your infant's developing ability to grasp things and use his hands. As a newborn, your baby begins by grasping an object that is placed in his hands; by 3 1/2 months, he can clasp his hands together and reach out for objects. By 8 months, he is able to hold the object in his hands and transfer items from one hand to another. Finally, by age 1, he can pick up small items between his thumb and index finger.
Gross motor skills during the first year center on mobility and sitting. By 3 months, your baby will raise his neck and chest when he is lying on his stomach. A 6-month-old baby should be able to roll from his stomach to his back and over to his stomach again. Sitting up without support should be no problem for a 9-month-old and crawling should occur by this time as well. Learning to walk with support usually occurs at around age 1, although this milestone can vary from child to child. Many children are able to walk independently without support by this point. -
By age 2, your child's fine motor skills will have come a long way. He can hold a crayon to draw. He can also put on his shoes and socks as well as grasp and use an eating utensil. By age 3, he can start to use scissors, roll play dough and string large beads.
Gross motor skills have undergone some major changes as well. By age 2, he is not only walking independently but also running. A 3-year-old child loves to climb and should be able to alternate feet when climbing stairs. -
The fine motor skills of a 4 year old have grown by leaps and bounds. He is much more skilled with scissors than he was just a few months ago, and he can cut both straight and curved lines. He can string smaller beads and place pegs into holes. A 5 year old can get dressed without help, managing buttons and zippers and is capable of tying his shoes. Holding a pencil with three fingers should be no problem for a 5 year old.
In the area of gross motor skills, the 4 year old is able to ride a tricycle. He can stop, turn and start again while running. Tumbling skills are also evident as the 4 year old masters the somersault. The 5 year old can stand on one foot and not lose his balance. In addition to controlled running, he can skip and gallop. Other gross motor skills demonstrated by a 5 year old include the ability to toss a small ball overhand and to catch and kick a larger ball.
