Want to learn about your little one's fine motor skills?

Have you ever seen your little one struggling to button his shirt? Or trying to pick up a small toy that fell to the ground? The tiny muscles in his hands and fingers help our children perform these small, but very delicate tasks. This ability is what we call " fine motor skills" in medical science.

What are these fine motor skills?

Simply put, Fine Motor Skills are the ability to use the small muscles in our hands and wrists to perform precise, delicate movements. Think of it this way: stringing beads on a string, writing with a pencil, cutting paper with scissors. This ability is essential for all of these.

This is different from gross motor skills like running and jumping, because they use large muscles like our legs and arms. But both of these skills are very important for a child's overall development.

Where do we need these skills in everyday life?

These fine motor skills help us in almost every aspect of our daily lives more than we think. From a small child to an adult, everyone needs them. Take a look at these examples.

How do these abilities develop with the child's age?

As children develop, they demonstrate certain abilities at different ages. We call these 'developmental milestones'. While not all children reach these in the same way or at the same pace, there are generally expected levels.

At about 3 months

At this age, babies' hands are often clenched into fists. But gradually those fists loosen and they begin to open their hands. They may bring their hands to their mouths . They may even try to reach for a hanging toy.

At 6 months

By now, most babies can hold their hands together. They can reach for something using both hands at once. They can even hold a small toy in their hand for a short time.

At 9 months

Most children can transfer objects from one hand to the other and bring objects to their mouths at this age. Most of the time, their hands are open. The most important thing is to start picking up small objects using the thumb and index finger. This is also called a pincer grasp .

At the end of a year (12 months)

Children at this age can put something down on the floor at will. They can also hand over something if we ask them to. They are also good at knocking two toys together, putting things in a container, putting them away, and pointing.

At 1 1/2 years (18 months)

By now, they can clap their hands, wave their hands and say 'tata', and draw lines on a piece of paper with a colored stick (scri BBL e) without anyone's help. They are also gradually getting used to drinking from a cup and eating from a spoon.

At 2 years old

By the age of two, most children can point to pictures in a book, turn the pages, and build a tower by stacking three or four blocks on top of each other.

When should I talk to my doctor?

The first thing to remember is that every child develops at their own pace . Some children learn to eat from a spoon a little earlier, while others learn a little later. That's normal. Don't worry too much about it.

However, if you experience any of the following, it is very important to seek medical advice :

• If you feel that your child has not reached many of the developmental milestones for his or her age group .
• If you have serious doubts or fears about your child's development.

At times like this, don't hold anything back and talk to your pediatrician or family doctor . It's also very helpful to talk to your local Family Health Worker (PHM) . She can provide good guidance as she constantly monitors your child's development.