Fine motor skills refer to the ability to make movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrist. These skills develop from once an infant is born until later in adolescence. Fine motor coordination is critical in order to grasp, release, and manipulate objects.
4-6 months:
- Palmar grasp: this occurs when the object the infant is holding is stabilized around the palm, and the fingers curl around it
Activities to Promote Palmar Grasp:
- Placing a finger in the infant’s palm of the hand
- Reaching for a hanging toy
Functional Task related to Palmar Grasp:
- Hold objects/tools with a long handles
6-8 months:
- Radial palmar grasp: the infant’s object continues to be stabilized against the palm, but the fingers support the top of the object as well as the thumb
Activities to Promote Radial Palmar Grasp:
- Reaching for a hanging toy on the thumb side of the hand
- Place a block in a box to encourage the child to grasp with the index and middle fingers side of the hand
- For older children: squeeze play dough or theraputty with the index and middle fingers side of the hand
Functional Task related to Palmar Grasp:
- Hold objects/tools with a long handle
8-10 months:
- Radial digital grasp: when the infant’s object is held between the fingers and opposed thumb
Activities to Promote Radial Digital Grasp:
- Place an object in a cup and have the infant reach to take it out
- Place a block/object on the thumb side in front of the infant
Functional Tasks for Radial Digital Grasp:
- Turning a key
10 months:
- Inferior pincer grasp: when an infant holds an object between their thumb and forefinger using the pads
Activities to Promote Pincer Grasp:
- Play with blocks
- Turning the pages of a book
- Stacking rings
- Finger foods such as Cheerios
- Pushing large buttons through a container
Activities to Promote Pincer Grasp in Older Children:
- Board games such as Operation, Monopoly
- Playing cards
- Stringing beads
- Lacing cards
- Peeling stickers
Functional Task related to Pincer Grasp:
- Fastenings buttons
- Zipping clothing
- Using utensils
- Self-feeding
- Holding a pencils
12 months:
- Superior pincer grasp: when an infant’s isolated index finger and thumb can pick up an object with increased precision.
Activities to Promote Pincer Grasp:
- Play with blocks
- Turning the pages of a book
- Stacking rings
- Finger foods
- Pushing large buttons through a container
Activities to Promote Pincer Grasp in Older Children:
- Board games such as Operation, Monopoly
- Playing cards
- Stringing beads
- Lacing cards
- Peeling stickers
- Tong activities
- Picking up toothpicks
Functional Task related to Pincer Grasp:
- Fastenings buttons
- Zipping clothing
- Use utensils
- Self-feeding
- Holding a pencil
12-15 months:
- Palmar supinate grasp: a young toddler begins to use a fisted grasp with the thumb wrapped at the top of the writing utensil
2-3 years:
- Digital pronate grasp: the child turns their palm around, so their little finger faces the ceiling. They continue to hold the pencil in all of their fingers, with it resting against their palm.
3-4 years:
- Quadrupod grasp: the child holds the pencil with their thumb, index, middle, and ring finger on the pencil
3-4 years:
- Static tripod grasp: the pencil is held in between the tips of the thumb, index, and middle fingers; however, the child controls the movement from their wrist and elbow.
Activities to Promote Static Tripod Grasp:
- Large pegs
- Puzzles with large knobs
- Tongs or large tweezers
- Pens with lids that need removing and replacing
- Pinching clay or playdough
- Scrunching paper between the thumb and fingers.
Functional Activities:
- Handwriting tasks
5-6 years:
- Dynamic tripod grasp: the child holds their pencil with their index, middle finger, and thumb, and the pencil movement comes from the fingers
Activities to promote Dynamic Tripod Grasp:
- Use small pencils, ex: broken crayons/broken chalk
- Put a rubber band on the pencil
- Try different pencil grips
- Hold a pom-pom under the ring and pinky finger to encourage stabilization on the side of the hand
- Practice activities with tweezers & tongs
Functional Activities:
- Handwriting tasks
