Fine Motor Milestones

0-5 Months

  • Grasps Rattle
  • Holds Rattle for 30 seconds
  • Lying on back, reaches for toy
  • Follows object with eyes
  • Holds hands together
  • Puts hands in mouth
  • Places both hands on bottle

 

6-8 Months

  • Transfer toy from one hand to other
  • Uses raking grasp to move objects
  • Takes objects to mouth
  • Bangs cup on table
  • Lifts cup by handle
  • Holds own bottle
  • Begins to hold spoon
  • Reaches & grasps objects with extended elbow
  • Crawls
  • Pulls up
  • Removes sock

 

9-11 Months

  • Drinks from cup with assistance
  • Grabs a crayon with a fisted grasp
  • Holds, bites, chews cracker or cookies
  • Bangs 2 cubes held in hand at midline
  • Pokes with index finger
  • Uncovers toy seen hidden
  • Finger feeds self
  • Holds Spoon
  • Cooperates with dressing by extending arm/leg
  • Stacks 1 block
  • Removes both socks
  • Creeps

 

12-14 Months

  • Scribbles
  • Waves goodbye
  • Takes off shoes
  • Drinks from cup
  • Picks up 2 small cubes with one hand
  • Brings spoon to mouth
  • Opens book
  • Walks independently

 

15-18 Months

  • Throws objects
  • Indicates discomfort over soiled pants
  • Removes hat
  • Unzips zipper
  • Removes both socks
  • Drinks from cup with spilling
  • Sucks a straw

 

19-24 Months

  • Builds 4-6 cube tower
  • Feeds self with spoon
  • Zips/Unzips Large zipper
  • Turns door knob
  • Imitates vertical & horizontal lines
  • Gives up bottle
  • Helps with simple household tasks
  • Tries to play catch
  • Undresses completely
  • Drinks from cup independently

 

2-3 Years

  • Stacks 8-10 blocks
  • Strings 2-4 beads 
  • Removes most clothes
  • Imitates vertical, horizontal, circular strokes
  • Manipulates play dough
  • Matches a square, circle, triangle
  • Snips with scissors
  • Knows main body parts
  • Helps put things away
  • Unbuttons large buttons
  • May reject many foods
  • Dresses with supervision
  • Uses fork

 

3-4 Years Old

  • Builds 10 block tower
  • Draws a person with 2-4 parts
  • Helps with bathing
  • Cuts paper into 2 pieces
  • Unbuttons 3 buttons
  • Dresses without supervision

4-5 Years

  • Manipulates fasteners
  • Connects dots
  • Draws a square
  • Touches each finger to thumb
  • Grasps marker between thumb & pad of index finger
  • Distinguishes front/back of clothing

5-6 Years

  • Copies triangle, diamond
  • Draws a person with at least 7 parts
  • Understands ‘more’ & ‘less’
  • Prints letters
  • Spreads with knife
  • No toiletry accidents
  • Brushes teeth independently
  • Ties shoes
  • Catches a tennis ball
  • Cuts with knife