Fine Motor Skills

M A RYA M M A L I K
Definition 

• Fine motor skills refer to the coordination

between your child's small muscles, like those
in their hands, wrists, and fingers in
coordination with their eyes.
 Fine motor skills are movements
such as pinching or grasping.

Benefit

Foundation to do everyday tasks

Self-care Feeding School
Playing
activities oneself  activities
 Turning
Putting a plug
Dialing the phone doorknobs, keys,
into a socket
and locks

Buttoning and
Opening and Fastening buckles
Self-care unbuttoning
clothes
closing zippers and belts

Activities 
Bathing or
Tying shoelaces Brushing teeth 
showering

Using the toilet

 Opening and closing
Eating with a fork or containers such as
Picking up small foods 
spoon lunch boxes and zip-
top bags

Using a ladle, tongs, or

Screwing and Cutting food with a
a large spoon to take a
unscrewing lids knife
serving of food

Feeding Oneself 
Spreading toppings
like jam, mayonnaise, Sprinkling spices Setting the table
and butter

Pouring drinks and

Scrubbing and peeling Stirring, mixing, and
condiments like salad
fruits and vegetables whisking
dressing and ketchup
 Turning the pages Drawing and
Coloring
of a book painting

Cutting with
School Tracing Writing
scissors

Activities 
Typing and using
Pasting and Measuring with a
a computer
gluing ruler
mousepad

Playing musical
instruments
 Shaking a rattle Stacking blocks Stringing beads

Playing with
Working puzzles Dressing dolls
puppets
Playing 
Building with
Sculpting with Putting together
Legos or other
clay train or car tracks
construction toys

Playing board Playing video

games  games 
 Fine Motor Skills Milestones

Behaviors or skills that illustrate a child's growth in several areas

Established based on what most children can do at a certain age

If a milestone is not achieved, it leads to:

• Poor muscle development
• Delayed ability to play independently
• Delayed sensory development due to delayed interaction with toys and other sensory
objects
 3 months  6 months 9 months

Reflexive grasp Clasp hands together  Bring objects to their

Less control over their Reach out with both mouths 
arms  arms at the same time  Pass things between
Bring hands to mouth  Hold small objects for a hands 
Hands tightly clenched  short time Pincer grasp
Reach for dangling toys
 12 months 18 months  2 years

Controlled release of Clap  Turn pages

objects Wave goodbye  Stack blocks into a
Bang two toys Use a crayon to tower
together scribble  Eats without
Take items in and out Self-feeds with assistance
of a container  minimal assistance
Point at objects Turn knobs
Palmar grasp

Pincer grasp

Tripod grasp
Activities 
Household Items