The Power of Parenting

Friday, 30 July 2010

Fine Motor Development: 10 to 12 Months

Typical Skills
  • Uses pincer grasp (tips of index finger and thumb) to pick up small items
  • Puts objects in and takes them out of container
  • Points, pokes, touches and pries with extended index finger
  • Places one block on top of another without balancing
  • Voluntarily releases objects to another person on request
  • Holds spoon but needs help with its use
Emerging Skills
  • Uses both hands freely – may show preference for one
  • Pulls off socks, hats
  • Holds crayons, makes marks
  • Builds tower using two cubes
  • Points with index finger
  • Feeds self with spoon and drinks from a cup
Comfort, Play & Teach™
 Comfort, Play & Teach™

Comfort
If you do this:
Your Baby will:

 
  • Place finger foods on your baby’s plate or tray and show her how to pick them up
  • In a safe place on the floor, use soft building blocks to make a tower; show her how to pick up one block and place it on top of another
  • Feel more confident about using her fingers to pick up the food
  • Learn about what is involved in stacking objects
  • Feel confident about how to pick up and let go of objects
Play
If you do this:
Your Baby will:

 
  • Create a safe space in the kitchen with lots of different sized plastic containers and bowls
  • Together with your baby, sing songs and fingerplay that encourage him to move his fingers
  • Enjoy putting things inside of one another and seeing how they fit
  • Learn to move his fingers with greater control
  • Feel loved and secured playing with you
Teach
If you do this:
Your Baby will:

 
  • Introduce your baby to cause and effect toys that require her to do something to hear noise or see action
  • Learn that she can control things in her environment