FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT CHART AGES 0-6 YEARS

AGE	SKILL
0-3 months	Hands often closed, will grasp involuntarily if object is placed in hand
2-4 months	Reaches for/swipes at objects inaccurately
3-3½ months	Clasps hands together often
3½ -4 months	Begins purposeful, visually directed reaching
3-7 months	Holds small objects in hand
4-8 months	Transfers objects from hand to hand; picks up med. sized object easily
4-10 months	Develops accurate forward and side reach
5-9 months	Picks up small objects using a “raking” or scooping motion
7-9 months	Intentionally is able to drop and release objects
7-12 objects	Picks up objects using thumb and finger/fingers
10 months	Pokes at or points with finger
12-18 months	Holds crayon with whole hand, thumb pointed up
2 years	Holds crayon with thumb and all fingers, forearm turned so thumb is pointed down; uses spoon well in upright position; copies vertical line
2½ -3 years	Strings large beads; snips paper with scissors; copies horizontal line; rolls clay/playdoh into “snake”; imitates 4 cube “train” design
3 – 3½ years	Completes simple inset puzzles; towers 9 small blocks; dresses/undresses self except for fasteners, but still confuses front/back and right/left
3½ - 4 years	Places small pegs into holes; strings small beads; holds a pencil in a “tripod grasp” (3 fingers), but moves whole arm when coloring, drawing, writing
4 – 4½ years	Uses scissors to cut on both straight and curved lines; fastens buttons, zippers, and snaps; draws a cross (intersecting vertical & horizontal line)
4½ - 5 years	Folds paper in half making sure the edges meet; puts key in lock and opens it; connects the dots to make a simple shape; copies square
5 years	Usually ties shoelaces; cuts shapes/simple pictures using scissors; uses dull knife to spread out food; copies triangle; uses tripod grasp with only finger movement when coloring, writing, and drawing; copies letters
5½ -6 years	Demonstrates accurate bilateral hand coordination to cut out complex shapes within a line’s width; writes some letters from memory

Therefore, by 6 years old, a child's fine motor skills have developed sufficiently enough to complete writing, dressing, and feeding tasks properly and efficiently. 

A child will now have adequate dexterity, bilateral coordination, and eye-hand coordination to complete writing and cutting tasks. Although these skills will continue to develop and be refined, the foundation is developed and laid down within the first six years. This is precisely WHY a child will need toys, games, and activities to practice and enhance these skills during early childhood. 

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