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\u2019t always feel very good. \u00a0It\u2019s confusing being a new parent in the age of parenting apps, social media, and parent influencers!<\/p>\n
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\u2019re bombarded with information about ways to promote child development<\/a>.<\/p>\n But one of the most important lessons I’ve learned \u2013 both as a pediatrician and as a slightly more seasoned parent of my two small children \u2013 is that there\u2019s a wide range of typical development. So please, keep that in mind as you read the information I\u2019m sharing here.<\/p>\n 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\u2019re 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?\u00a0 Interacting with your baby through play is a great way to see these milestones in action!<\/p>\n NEWBORN (first 2 months)<\/strong><\/p>\n -Hands are mostly fisted<\/p>\n -Palmar reflex: Baby automatically grasps others’ fingers and objects<\/p>\n 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!<\/em><\/p>\n 2 MONTHS<\/strong><\/p>\n -Opens and closes hands while awake<\/p>\n -Briefly brings hands together<\/p>\n -Touches face with hands<\/p>\n -Grabs or scratches at clothes briefly<\/p>\n 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.<\/em><\/p>\n 4 MONTHS<\/strong><\/p>\n -Hands mostly remain open<\/p>\n -Brings hands to mouth and plays with fingers at the midline of the body<\/p>\n -Grasps objects and can wave or chew on them<\/p>\n -Tries to grab or scratch fingers on a surface in front of them<\/p>\n -When placed in a sitting position, reaches for a toy nearby<\/p>\n 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.<\/em><\/p>\n 6 MONTHS<\/strong><\/p>\n -Reaches and picks up objects with a palm\/finger grip<\/p>\n -Can transfer objects from hand to hand<\/p>\n -Rakes small objects with 4 fingers<\/p>\n -Bangs small objects on surface<\/p>\n Tip for home: When baby has started solid foods, place a portion of their meal in front of them to encourage feeding exploration. <\/em><\/p>\n 7-9 MONTHS<\/strong><\/p>\n -Picks up food to eat<\/p>\n -Picks up small objects with 3 fingers and thumb<\/p>\n -Bangs objects together<\/p>\n Tip for home: Baby blocks are fun at this age! Your baby may try to hit them together.<\/em><\/p>\n 10 MONTHS<\/strong><\/p>\n -Picks up a small object with first finger and thumb (pincer grasp)<\/p>\n -Lets go of an object intentionally without dropping it<\/p>\n Tip for home: Try a food like cooked peas or Cheerios for working on the pincer grasp.<\/em><\/p>\n 12 MONTHS<\/strong><\/p>\n -Drops an object in a cup<\/p>\n -Picks up small object with 2-finger pincer grasp using tips of fingers<\/p>\n -Throws small ball with forward arm motion<\/p>\nFine Motor Skills Matter in Your Baby\u2019s First Year<\/h3>\n
Baby Fine Motor Milestones Month by Month (0\u201312 Months)<\/h3>\n