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Fine motor skills and vision

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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A table of approximate times for developmental milestones for fine motor skills are presented below. More detailed information with respect to different ages and the normal level of fine motor skills seen is available via the menu. Commonly cited milestones include:

  • newborn can fixate on a visual object about 20 cm away; has primitive grasp reflex
  • loses primitive grasp reflex 8 - 12 weeks
  • follows moving person with eyes 6 - 12 weeks
  • holds hands together 8 - 16 weeks
  • reaches out for rattle; starts to 10 - 20 weeks look at own hands
  • passes rattle from hand to hand 22 - 40 weeks
  • grasp:
    • palm of the hand on the ulnar side up to 6 months
    • object held against thenar eminence (palmar grasp) 24 - 32 weeks
    • object held gainst the lower part of the thumb with the index finger (often with the help of the ring and little finger) 32 - 40 weeks
    • volar pads of the finger tips pinch grip and thumb adduction or pinch grip 40-50 weeks
  • extends wrist 24-36 weeks
  • scribbles round and round 12 - 24 months
  • draws straight line 17 - 36 months
  • copies circle 24 - 42 months
  • copies cross 32 - 58 months
  • can draw a person 32 - 58 months

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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