Fine motor skills are related to hand and finger skills such as writing, cutting, opening lunch boxes and tying shoelaces. The development of these skills is based on the development of physical skills (such as basic body control and shoulder strength) that make steady progress in which one can move, along with age-appropriate control of the hands and arms.

Developmental Stage

• Reflex attachment (at birth)
• Inability to reach objects around (3 months)
• On-demand retention (3 months)
• 2-hand grasping reflex (3 months)
• One-handed grasping reflex (5 months)
• Controlled reach (6 months)
• Reaches, grasps, and mouths objects.
• Leaves objects in control.
• Grip between thumb and other finger.
• Picks up objects by grasping between the thumb and another finger.
• Transfers objects from one hand to another.
• Drops and picks up toys.

Possible situations when not improving Poor muscle development and control.

• Delay in ability to play by himself.
• Delay in sensory development due to delay in interacting with toys and other sensory objects.
• Poor development of hand and finger strength.
• Poor grasp of objects due to delay in game skills.
• Delay in sensory development due to lack of sensory play experience.