Baby Development Milestones: Fine Motor Skills in the First Year
When I became a new mom, I immediately downloaded a smartphone app about developmental milestones for my baby. I proceeded to nervously score my son’s progress each month. This seemed like a great idea at the time, but honestly, it didn’t always feel very good. It’s confusing being a new parent in the age of parenting apps, social media, and parent influencers!
A lot of new parents I work with in my clinical practice go through a similar experience. Understandably, we all want our infants to grow and learn at the “right” pace. We’re bombarded with information about ways to promote child development.
Fine Motor Skills Matter in Your Baby’s First Year
But one of the most important lessons I’ve learned – both as a pediatrician and as a slightly more seasoned parent of my two small children – is that there’s a wide range of typical development. So please, keep that in mind as you read the information I’m sharing here.
In my practice, new parents often want to learn more about promoting fine motor skills, or the specific movements involving hands and fingers. If you’re curious about this, read on to learn about some practical fine motor milestones at each age group in the first year of life. The fun part? Interacting with your baby through play is a great way to see these milestones in action!
Baby Fine Motor Milestones Month by Month (0–12 Months)
NEWBORN (first 2 months)
-Hands are mostly fisted
-Palmar reflex: Baby automatically grasps others’ fingers and objects
Tip for home: Enjoy the adorable “palmar reflex” by placing your clean finger in the palm of your baby’s hand and watch as they create a tight fist around it!
2 MONTHS
-Opens and closes hands while awake
-Briefly brings hands together
-Touches face with hands
-Grabs or scratches at clothes briefly
Tip for home: Baby’s sense of touch during their interactions with you is crucial. Play a game like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” with them, gently touching each body part while singing.
4 MONTHS
-Hands mostly remain open
-Brings hands to mouth and plays with fingers at the midline of the body
-Grasps objects and can wave or chew on them
-Tries to grab or scratch fingers on a surface in front of them
-When placed in a sitting position, reaches for a toy nearby
Tip for home: During tummy time and play time, place safe toys around all sides of the baby to begin introducing reaching for toys. Hand the baby a toy like a rattle in their open hand.
6 MONTHS
-Reaches and picks up objects with a palm/finger grip
-Can transfer objects from hand to hand
-Rakes small objects with 4 fingers
-Bangs small objects on surface
Tip for home: When baby has started solid foods, place a portion of their meal in front of them to encourage feeding exploration.
7-9 MONTHS
-Picks up food to eat
-Picks up small objects with 3 fingers and thumb
-Bangs objects together
Tip for home: Baby blocks are fun at this age! Your baby may try to hit them together.
10 MONTHS
-Picks up a small object with first finger and thumb (pincer grasp)
-Lets go of an object intentionally without dropping it
Tip for home: Try a food like cooked peas or Cheerios for working on the pincer grasp.
12 MONTHS
-Drops an object in a cup
-Picks up small object with 2-finger pincer grasp using tips of fingers
-Throws small ball with forward arm motion
-Can help turn the pages of a book
Tip for home: Board books are great in the first year. They are sturdy and allow easier page-turning for infants.
Remember, all children develop at their own rate. So, if your little one isn’t doing all of these things just yet, you’ll likely see them soon. If you’re concerned about your child’s development, talk to your pediatrician at your next well-check, or send an email with your question anytime.
Resources for Parents
American Academy of Pediatrics
Featured Author
Dr. Raja's biography reads: I chose to practice at Kaiser Permanante because as a patient at Kaiser Permanente myself throughout my training and thereafter, I have been very satisfied with the ease of access to care. I wanted to be a part of this organization’s forward-thinking mindset and network of providers. My philosophy of care is to partner with families in making treatment plans that are both safe and practical. I strive to get to know what makes each patient special and connect with them on their level. I am passionate about parent-baby dyad health including development and breastfeeding, health equity, climate health, patient education, and workplace wellness.
Dr. Raja's full biography can be found on My Doctor Online. Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.