Self Care & Fine Motor Milestones

0-6-months:

  • Communicate hunger, fear, and discomfort by crying
  • Coordinate suck, swallow and breathe
  • In a supported sitting position, reaches for and grasps an object
  • Transfers an object from one hand to the other hand
  • Bangs two objects together

 

6-12 months:

  • Finger feeds small pieces of food and begins to drink from a sippy cup
  • Holds and drinks from a bottle independently
  • Picks up small objects using thumb and forefinger
  • Points/pokes with the index finger
  • Scribbles spontaneously

1-2 years:

  • Cooperates with dressing by extending an arm or leg
  • Removes their own socks and shoes
  • Attempts to brush teeth
  • Indicates discomfort when wet or soiled, has regular bowel movements, and will sit on toilet supervised
  • Spontaneously uses circular, vertical, and horizontal strokes when drawing

 

2-3 years

  • Removes unfastened coats and shirts, socks, shoes, and pulled down pants; unbuttons large buttons
  • Able to spoon-feed, drinks from a straw, and begins to drink from an open cup independently
  • Rolls, pounds, and squeezes clay
  • Threads beads on a string
  • Snips paper with scissors
  • Daytime control of toileting needs

 

3-4 years

  • Manipulates large buttons or snaps
  • Cleans up spills
  • Dresses self completely
  • Copies drawing a cross
  • Copies a square
  • Can cut a straight line

 

4-6 years

  • Able to calm self down when upset
  • Crosses street safely
  • Knows which shoes go on which foot
  • Combs or brushes hair
  • Grasps a pencil correctly
  • Tolerates haircuts and nail cutting without crying