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Milestones for Infants to 5-Year-Olds: A Simple Guide for Parents
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
As parents, we celebrate every "first," from that initial smile to the first day of school. But some of the most important growth happens in the tiny movements of the hands and fingers!
Fine motor skills are the foundation for everything from self-feeding to writing. If you’ve been searching for a fine motor milestones checklist or wondering if your toddler’s hand-eye coordination is on track, this guide is for you.
Here is a quick look at the journey from birth to age five.
Infants (0–12 Months): The Discovery Phase
In the first year, babies move from involuntary reflexes to intentional reaching.
0–4 Months: Babies start to bring their hands to their mouths and may begin to bat at dangling toys.
5–9 Months: Look for the "pincer grasp" starting to develop (using the thumb and index finger to pick up small items like Cheerios).
10–12 Months: Your baby will start poking with an index finger and putting objects into containers.
Toddlers (1–3 Years): The Explorer Phase
This is when hand strength and independence really take off!
1–2 Years: Your toddler will begin to stack blocks, turn pages of a book, and start using a spoon (though it might be messy!).
2–3 Years: This stage is all about hand-eye coordination. They can unscrew lids, use safety scissors with help, and begin to copy vertical or circular strokes when drawing.
Preschoolers (3–5 Years): The Achievement Phase
As children prepare for Kindergarten readiness, their fine motor control becomes much more refined.
3–4 Years: Most children can now unbutton large buttons, string large beads, and draw a person with at least three body parts.
4–5 Years: By this age, your child is likely using a "tripod grasp" (holding a pencil correctly), dressing themselves, and even starting to cut out simple shapes with scissors.
Don't stress if your child isn't hitting every mark exactly on the month! Development is a journey, not a race. The best way to help is through play-based learning. Activities like playing with playdough, peeling stickers, or sorting beans are amazing ways to build those tiny muscles!
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