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Child motor skill development


Toddler development: Motor skills | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

Toddler development: Motor skills | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content

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Children grow and develop fast during the toddler years, exploring their world more independently, improving their coordination and doing more things for themselves. There are many ways in which you can help your toddler develop both their fine and gross motor (movement) skills.

What are motor skills?

Children develop 2 types of motor (movement) skills: 'fine' motor skills and 'gross' motor skills.

Fine motor skills involve using hands and fingers to control smaller objects. Gross motor skills involve the coordination of larger muscles in the body to make larger movements.

Fine motor skills

Fine motor skills engage the smaller muscles in the hands and fingers so a child can grasp, hold, grip and pinch. For example, picking up food, holding a pencil or buttoning up a shirt all involve fine motor skills. Children develop fine motor skills so they can learn how to look after themselves and, eventually, to write.

Fine motor skills are important. Evidence suggests there's a link between fine motor skills development and language, literacy and brain development.

Other examples of fine motor skills include:

  • Clapping hands
  • Shaking musical instruments
  • Picking up and putting objects down
  • Rolling playdough
  • Putting on shoes
  • Cleaning teeth

At what age will my child develop fine motor skills?

While all children develop at their own pace, they do reach some milestones within certain age ranges. For example, babies start to grasp objects using their hands (but not necessarily their thumbs) between 5 and 6 months old. They usually start to play with hand-held toys between 6 and 12 months.

By 18 months, most toddlers will attempt more complex skills such as using a crayon or pencil or drinking from a cup independently. They might even try to dress themselves.By 24 months (2 years old) your toddler might show a preference for one hand over the other.

From 2 years old, toddlers' fine motor skills become more sophisticated. They may start to show an interest in scribbling, drawing and attempting handwriting. Between 2 and 3 years old, they might be able to turn doorknobs and screw jar lids.

How can I help my child improve their fine motor skills?

There are many ways in which you can help your child to grow and practise their newfound skills through play and activities.

  • Give your child different-sized cups or containers so they can pop the smaller ones into the larger ones. They can also use them to fill with water and practise pouring.
  • Use spades and buckets to fill and scoop sand.
  • Play with Lego or Duplo or do puzzles together.
  • Give your child playdough, so they can roll it into shapes and use cookie cutters.
  • Thread with beads.
  • Pick up objects with tongs and toy tweezers.
  • Painting, drawing, and gluing and cutting craft materials (with safety scissors).

Gross motor skills

Skills that involve the movement of the larger muscles in the arms, legs and torso, such as crawling, running, jumping and throwing are called gross motor skills.You might notice that as your toddler builds on their gross motor skills, they don't like to keep still.

At what age will my child develop gross motor skills?

Like fine motor skills, kids start developing gross motor skills when they're small babies. Even in their first 2 months, babies will kick their legs and wave their arms around.

At 6 to 8 months old, a baby should be able to roll, reach and sit independently (if only briefly). Between 12 and 18 months, most babies are walking.

By 2 years old, children can typically jump 5cm on both feet, walk up and down 3 stairs and throw a small ball 1m to 1.5m towards a target. Between 2 and 3 years, kids are capable of more complex movements such as walking on a balance beam, negotiating stairs without holding on to the railing and climbing on play equipment.

How can I help my child improve gross motor skills?

Give your child the space to safely explore their environment and practise their gross motor skills. Expect a few falls and bumps, since they'll likely be testing the physical limits of how far they can run, climb and jump. You can:

  • visit playgrounds, parks and the beach
  • throw a large ball to them, and have them throw it back
  • dance to music at home
  • blow and chase bubbles outside
  • wheel, push or ride on large toys
  • encourage children to 'help' with everyday tasks, such as gardening or hanging clothes on the line
  • limit screen time, which can inhibit movement and physical play

When to seek help

Children can take different amounts of time to reach different milestones, but that doesn’t mean your child’s development isn’t normal. However, if you feel like your child's motor skills aren't developing well, see your GP or child health nurse — specifically, if your 2 or 3-year-old:

  • can't run
  • can't walk up and down stairs, even with help
  • has difficulty manipulating small objects, such as a crayon
  • doesn't scribble or try to draw
  • loses the physical skills they had before

More support and information

You can call Parentline in your state or territory for advice and information:

  • Parentline ACT: (02) 6287 3833, Mon to Fri, 9am – 5pm AEST / Sat, 10am – 12 midday
  • Parent Line NSW: 1300 1300 52, Mon to Fri, 9am – 9pm / weekends, 4pm – 9pm
  • Parentline Queensland and Northern Territory: 1300 30 1300, 7 days, 8am – 10pm
  • Parent Helpline South Australia: 1300 364 100, 7 days, 7.15am – 9.15pm
  • Parent Line Tasmania: 1300 808 178, 24 hours, 7 days
  • Parentline Victoria: 13 22 89, 7 days, 8am – 12 midnight

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Sources:
Victoria State Government (Literacy Teaching Toolkit - Fine motor), Raising Children (About baby development and developmental milestones), Therapies for Kids (Gross motor milestones), MedlinePlus (Infant - newborn development), Raising children (Handwriting skills for children), Raising Children (Movement and play - toddlers), ScienceDirect (Gross Motor Skill), Raising Children (Outdoor play), Raising Children (2-3 years - toddler development), Pregnancy Birth and Baby (How your baby learns - birth to 3 years), Pregnancy Birth and Baby (Development milestones - your child 12 to 18 months), Pregnancy Birth and Baby (Development milestones - your child 18 to 24 months)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: January 2020


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