Motor Skills in Early Childhood

A motor skill is the ability to move muscles to perform a certain act. They are divided into 'gross' and 'fine'.  Gross motor skills involve large muscle activities, such as walking, throwing, and swimming. Fine motor skills involve finely-tuned movements, such as finger dexterity for writing or using a keyboard. 

Let's have a look at the development of these skills in infants:

At 0-3 months a baby can

• jump at loud noises, raise head when lying on stomach
• smile back when when smiled at, watch hands move, hold a rattle

At 6-9 months

• sit up, stand up whilst holding someone's hands, crawl
• eat using hands, play with hands and feet 

AT 9-12 months 

• crawl, climb, 'cruise' [move about while holding on to supporting objects], take 'baby steps'
• handle small objects, pull string, start drinking from a plastic cup

Then...

Gross motor development in young children

• At around three to four years old, a child can usually: throw a small ball underarm; catch a large ball; jump on two feet
• At four to five years old: bounce and catch a ball; run three meters and stop; kick a ball towards a target; bounce a ball under control; hop on one foot

Fine motor development in young children

• At around three to four years old, a child can usually: approximate a circle when drawing; cut paper; build an eight-block tower; dress and undress a doll; pour water from a jug
• At four to five years old: tie shoelaces; cut following a line; copy figure 'x'; open and place clothespins; build a five-block bridge; print first name