Monthly Topic-September 1999
"Development in the First Year of Life"
The First Year:
The first year of life contains many important milestones for fine and gross motor development. Babies are intricate creatures, who all develop at different rates, but basic timelines can still be established and followed as a general guide. This month's topic will provide a general timeline for the development of fine and gross motor skills from birth to twelve months. This is a guide and may not contain all the skills present at any given age level. It is meant to highlight milestones in each area. If a child is not able to perform the suggested skills at his/her age level, this may be an indicator of developmental delays. However, keep in mind all children develop at varying rates. Therefore, just because a child is not performing certain skills, does not necessarily mean he/she is disabled or developmentally delayed. These timelines help to identify children early on so that services can be quickly provided to prevent further difficulties and delays. Early intervention is essential to the success of children with motor difficulties or developmental delays. If you notice that your child is having difficulty, better to air on the side of caution and get them checked by a qualified professional in your area(certified occupational or physical therapist) or possibly ask your pediatrician.
Developmental Timeline for Fine/Gross Motor Skills:
| Months: | Fine Motor: | Gross Motor: |
| 1 month | fisted, reflexive grasp on objects | can lift chin slightly |
| 2 months | brings hands together at midline | holds head up independently at 90 degrees |
| 3 months | grasps or holds a rattle | can bear weight on forearms when on belly |
| 4 months | reaches with both arms/hands | when pulled to sit, no head lag seen |
| 5 months | can bring hands to mouth | sits supported by an adult |
| 6 months | bangs a cup on a table | rolls belly to back independently |
| 7 months | crosses midline when reaching with arms/hands | sits briefly, independently |
| 8 months | bangs cubes together using two arms/hands | pulls to stand, using adults hands |
| 9 months | picks up a small object using three fingered grasp | crawls forward |
| 10 months | picks up a pellet using index to thumb tip grasp | stands, unsupported |
| 11 months | releases a cube at will from his/her hand | cruises along furniture, while holding on |
| 12 months | can build a 2 cube tower with 1" blocks | takes steps, unsupported |
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