Motor Skills Development Guide

Gross Motor Skills

Large movements using big muscle groups - crawling, walking, running, jumping, climbing, throwing. These develop core strength, balance, and coordination.

Fine Motor Skills

Small movements using hands and fingers - grasping, pinching, drawing, buttoning, using utensils. These require hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

Gross Motor

• Lifts head briefly during tummy time
• Moves arms and legs actively
• Turns head to both sides when on back
• Pushes down on legs when feet on firm surface

Fine Motor

• Opens and closes hands
• Brings hands to mouth
• Grasps and shakes hand toys
• Swipes at dangling objects

Gross Motor

• Holds head steady without support
• Pushes up on arms during tummy time
• Rolls from tummy to back
• Rolls from back to tummy
• Sits with support

Fine Motor

• Reaches for and grasps objects
• Transfers objects hand to hand
• Uses raking grasp
• Brings objects to mouth

Gross Motor

• Sits without support
• Gets into sitting position independently
• Crawls on hands and knees
• Pulls to stand holding furniture

Fine Motor

• Uses thumb and fingers to pick up objects
• Bangs two objects together
• Pokes with index finger
• Drops objects intentionally

Gross Motor

• Cruises along furniture
• Stands alone briefly
• Takes first steps
• Gets into sitting position from standing

Fine Motor

• Uses pincer grasp (thumb and index finger)
• Puts objects in containers
• Releases objects voluntarily
• Turns pages of board book (several at a time)

Gross Motor

• Walks independently
• Climbs onto furniture
• Walks up stairs with hand held
• Throws ball underhand
• Squats to pick up toys

Fine Motor

• Stacks 2-3 blocks
• Scribbles with crayons
• Feeds self with spoon (with spilling)
• Drinks from open cup (with help)

Gross Motor

• Runs
• Kicks a ball forward
• Walks up and down stairs with support
• Jumps with both feet off ground

Fine Motor

• Stacks 4-6 blocks
• Turns single pages
• Uses spoon with less spilling
• Begins to undress self

Gross Motor

• Walks up stairs alternating feet
• Pedals tricycle
• Catches large ball with arms
• Stands on one foot briefly
• Jumps forward

Fine Motor

• Draws circles and lines
• Uses scissors with help
• Strings large beads
• Uses fork
• Puts on some clothes independently