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Developmental Milestones for Fine Motor Skills

(From www.childdevelopment.com)

Age	Development	Possible implications if milestones not achieved
0 - 6 Months	Reflexive grasp (at birth) Global ineffective reach for objects (3 months) Voluntary grasp (3 months) 2 handed palmar grasp (3 months) 1 handed palmar grasp (5 months) Controlled reach (6 months)	Poor muscle development Delayed ability to play independently Delayed sensory development due to delayed interaction with toys and other sensory objects
6 - 12 Months	Reaches, grasps, puts object in mouth Controlled release of objects Pincer grasp Picks things up with pincer grasp (thumb and one finger) Transfers object from one hand to the other Drops and picks up toy	Poor muscle development Delayed ability to play independently Delayed sensory development due to delayed interaction with toys and other sensory objects
1 - 2 Yrs	Builds tower of three small blocks Puts four rings on stick Places five pegs in pegboard Turns pages two or three at a time Scribbles Turns knobs Paints with whole arm movement, shifts hands, makes strokes Self-feeds with minimal assistance Able to use signing to communicate Brings spoon to mouth Holds and drinks from cup independently	Poor development of hand and finger strength Delayed independent play skills Delayed development of self-care skills such as eating Delayed manipulation skills
2 - 3 Yrs	Strings four large beads Turns single pages Snips with scissors Holds crayon with thumb and fingers (not fist) Uses one hand consistently in most activities Imitates circular, vertical, horizontal strokes Paints with some wrist action, makes dots, lines, circular strokes Rolls, pounds, squeezes, and pulls play dough Eats without assistance	Delayed self-care skills such as eating Delayed pre-writing skills development Delayed manipulation of small objects such as toys, pencils and scissors Frustration when manipulating small toys and objects
3 - 4 Yrs	Builds tower of nine small blocks Copies circle Imitates cross Manipulates clay material (rolls balls, makes snakes, cookies) Uses non dominant hand to assist and stabilize the use of objects Snips paper using scissors	Delayed pre-writing skills development Frustration and/or avoidance of pencil based tasks Poor pencil grasp and pencil control Poor self-care skills such as eating Delayed drawing skills
4 - 5 Yrs	Cuts on line continuously Copies cross Copies square Writes name Writes numbers 1-5 Copies letters Handedness well established Dresses and undresses independently	Difficulties holding and manipulating a pencil Difficulties learning to write name and other letters of the alphabet Dependence on caregivers for every day activities such as dressing Frustration and/or avoidance of pencil based tasks
5 - 6 Yrs	Cuts out simple shapes Copies triangle Colors within lines Uses a 3 fingered grasp of pencil and uses fingers to generate movement Pastes and glues appropriately Can draw basic pictures	Difficulties learning to form letters correctly Poor handwriting Difficulties demonstrating academic ability on paper Fatigue during pencil based tasks Frustration and/or avoidance of pencil based tasks
6 - 7 Yrs	Forms most letters and numbers correctly Writes consistently on the lines Demonstrates controlled pencil movement Good endurance for writing Can build Lego, knex and other blocks independently Tie Shoe Laces	Difficulties getting ideas down on paper Experiencing fatigue during handwriting tasks Difficulty keeping up in class due to slow handwriting speed Poor legibility of handwriting May impact on self-esteem when comparing work to peers Possible frustration and/or behavior difficulties due to avoidance of pencil based tasks
7 - 8 Yrs	Maintains legibility of handwriting for entirety of a story	Difficulty completing handwriting tasks in a timely manner Experiencing fatigue during handwriting tasks Poor academic achievement due to difficulty getting ideas down on paper Difficulties due to avoidance of pencil based tasks

Developmental Milestones for Sensory Processing Skills

(From www.childdevelopment.com)

Age	Skill
0-6 Months	Tracking objects with eyes. Coordinating suck, swallow, breath sequence, tongue is cupped, forward rhythmical movements of the tongue, and jaw consistently moves up and down in a coordinated pattern. Sleeping for 4-10 hour intervals. Communicating hunger, fear or discomfort through crying. Reaching for nearby objects.
6-12 Months	Playing for 2-3 minutes with a single toy. Reaching for nearby objects. Tracking objects with eyes. Imitating gestures- Responds to facial expressions. Identifies self in a mirror. Sleeping 10-12 hours with only 1 awakening. Communicating hunger, fear or discomfort through crying. Tolerating a range of different textured foods. Drinking from a cup. Using tongue to move food around mouth.
1-2 Years	Distinguishing between edible and inedible objects (18 months). Looking in the right spot for hidden objects. Playing next to children. Sitting to look and listen to books being read. Engaging in imaginative play. Understanding common dangers of hot objects, stairs, glass. Imitating gestures- Responds to facial expressions. Enjoying/tolerating messy play. Tolerating a range of different textured foods. Drinking from a cup. Settling themselves to sleep at night or during the day. Copying sounds that you make. Following simple 1 step instructions. Solving problems with trial and error.
2-3 Years	Distinguishing between edible and inedible objects (18 months). Tolerating a range of different textured foods. Engaging in imaginative play. Paying attention for 3 minutes. Following simple instructions (e.g. Give ball to daddy). Following 2 part instructions (e.g. Go to your room and get your shoes). Enjoying/tolerating messy play. Solving problems with trial and error. Pointing to 5-6 parts of a doll when asked. Matching circles and squares.
3-4 Years	Counting 1-5. Has an awareness of a parent's approval or disapproval of their actions. Understanding common dangers of hot objects, stairs, glass. Expressing emotions. Settling themselves to sleep at night or during the day. Remembering most colors. Choosing weather appropriate clothes. Differentiating between real and pretend world. Taking turns. Playing with 2 or 3 children in a group. Play themes expand beyond personal experience (e.g. fireman rescuing people). Enjoying/tolerating messy play. Dressing self (only requiring assistance with laces, buttons, and other fasteners in awkward places). Tolerating different clothing textures, seams, tags etc. Feeding self without difficulty. Pointing to 5-6 parts of a doll when asked. Coping in busy/noisy environments.
4-5 Years	Counting 1-10. Settling themselves to sleep at night. Naming shapes. Developing friendships. Expressing emotions. Following rules. Sitting to pay attention e.g. mat time. Coping in noisy/busy environments. Choosing weather appropriate clothes. Dressing self independently. Feeding self without difficulty. Taking turns. Playing with 4 or 5 children in a group. Tolerating different clothing textures, seams, tags etc.
5-6 Years	Writing numbers and letters. Writing simple sentences. Feeding self without difficulty. Expressing emotions. Recalling events and describing them. Remembering a sentence to write that was just thought about or told. Distinguishing between left and right. Categorizing objects: "These are toys; these are books". Understanding concepts like yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Copying complex shapes, such as a diamond. Sounding out simple words like "hang", "neat", "jump" and "sank". Sitting at a desk, following teacher instructions, and independently doing simple in-class assignments. Knowing where their body is in time and space to coordinate body movements for ball skills. Feeding self without difficulty. Tolerating different clothing textures, seams, tags etc. Coping in busy/noisy environments. Settling independently for sleep.
6-7 Years	Forming numbers and letters correctly. Independently getting herself to sleep and sleeping through the night. Eating a range of food and tolerating different textures. Recognizing others' perspective. Recalling events and describing them. Expressing emotions. Remembering a sentence to write that was just thought about or told. Attending for longer periods of time. Sitting still (e.g. in class, at mealtimes etc.). Independently toileting during the day and at night. Coping in busy/noisy environments. Understanding fractions and the concept of space. Understanding money. Taking on more responsibilities e.g. chores. Naming months and days of week in order. Telling the time. Reading a book on their own. Feeding self without difficulty. Knowing where their body is in time and space to coordinate body movements for ball skills. Playing with 4 or 5 children in a group. Inhibiting the need to talk and ask questions.
7-8 Years	Forming numbers and letters correctly. Recognizing others' perspective. Recalling events and describing them. Expressing emotions. Remembering a sentence to write that was just thought about or told. Attending for longer periods of time. Sitting still (e.g. in class, at mealtimes etc). Coping in busy/noisy environments. Understanding fractions and the concept of space. Taking on more responsibilities e.g. chores. Understanding money. Telling the time. Naming months and days of week in order. Reading a book on their own. Knowing where their body is in time and space to coordinate body movements for ball skills. Inhibiting the need to talk and ask questions.

Developmental Milestones for Self-Care Skills

(From www.childdevelopment.com)

Age	Skill
0-6 Months	Tracking objects with eyes. Coordinating suck, swallow, breath sequence, tongue is cupped, forward rhythmical movements of the tongue, and jaw consistently moves up and down in a coordinated pattern. Sleeping for 4-10 hour intervals. Communicating hunger, fear or discomfort through crying.
6-12 Months	Playing for 2-3 minutes with a single toy. Reaching for nearby objects. Tracking objects with eyes. Sleeping 10-12 hours with only 1 awakening. Tolerating a range of different textured foods. Drinking from a cup. Holding bottle or cup independently. Using tongue to move food around mouth. Feeding self small crackers or other small pieces of food.
1-2 Years	Distinguishing between edible and inedible objects (18 months). Looking in the right spot for hidden objects. Playing next to children. Imitating adult behavior. Engaging in imaginative play. Has an awareness of a parent's approval or disapproval of their actions. Understanding common dangers of hot objects, stairs, glass. Regularly checking in with adults/care givers. Tolerating nappy changes. Settling themselves to sleep at night or during the day. Attempting to brush teeth. Knowing where familiar items are kept. Removing their own socks and shoes. Cooperating with dressing by extending an arm or leg.
2-3 Years	Using toilet with assistance and having daytime control. Having an awareness of a parent's approval or disapproval of their actions. Understanding common dangers of hot objects, stairs, glass. Settling themselves to sleep at night or during the day. Sitting to look at a book independently. Unbuttoning large buttons. Expressing emotions. Tolerating a range of different textured foods. Engaging in imaginative play. Distinguishing between urination and bowel movements, names correctly Using a napkin to wipe face and hands. Feeding self simple meals using a fork or spoon. Taking socks and shoes off. Enjoying/tolerating messy play. Knowing where familiar items are kept. Attempting to brush teeth.
3-4 Years	Having an awareness of a parent's approval or disapproval of their actions. Understanding common dangers of hot objects, stairs, glass. Settling themselves to sleep at night or during the day. Taking turns. Brushing teeth independently. Playing with 2 or 3 children in a group. Dressing and undressing self (only requiring assistance with laces, buttons, and other fasteners in awkward places). Knowing where familiar items are kept. Toileting independently. Using a napkin to wipe face and hands. Independently packing items away. Tolerating different clothing textures, seams, tags. Feeding self without difficulty.
4-5 Years	Using a napkin to wipe face and hands. Settling themselves to sleep at night. Independently packing items away. Developing friendships. Expressing emotions. Following rules. Knowing where familiar items are kept. Toileting independently. Choosing weather appropriate clothes. Dressing self independently. Feeding self without difficulty. Taking turns. Playing with 4 or 5 children in a group. Tolerating different clothing textures, seams, tags.
5-6 Years	Dressing independently. Morning routine at school (putting bag away, swapping readers, putting drink bottle in correct spot). Feeding self without difficulty. Expressing emotions. Opening lunch boxes, zip lock bags, food packaging. Sitting at a desk, following teacher instructions, and independently doing simple in-class assignments. Tolerating different clothing textures, seams, tags. Coping in busy/noisy environments. Settling independently for sleep. Packing a bag for school or other outings with assistance.
6-7 Years	Opening lunch boxes, zip lock bags, food packaging. Independently getting herself to sleep and sleeping through the night. Eating a range of food and tolerating different textures. Showering independently. Packing a bag for school or other outings with little assistance/prompting. Expressing emotions Morning routine at school (putting bag away, swapping readers, putting drink bottle in correct spot). Independently toileting during the day and at night. Coping in busy/noisy environments. Feeding self without difficulty. Telling the time. Knowing where their body is in time and space to coordinate body movements for ball skills. Playing with 4 or 5 children in a group. Inhibiting the need to talk and ask questions. Preparing simple meals (e.g. cereal, sandwich).
7-8 Years	Opening lunch boxes, zip lock bags, food packaging. Packing a bag for school or other outings with little assistance/prompting. Recalling events and describing them. Expressing emotions. Remembering a sentence to write that was just thought about or told. Attending for longer periods of time. Sitting still (e.g. in class, at mealtimes). Coping in busy/noisy environments. Showering independently. Taking on more responsibilities (e.g. chores). Understanding money. Telling the time and displaying time management skills. Inhibiting the need to talk and ask questions. Preparing simple meals (e.g. cereal, sandwich).