Fine Motor Activities for Ages 0-2

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Even from just a few months old, babies are developing fine motor skills. It is important to include opportunities for your baby to practice their fine motor skills throughout their day. It is really easy to do and below I am going to give you some fine motor activities for ages 0-2. You can also refer to my typical fine motor age developmental milestones for ages 0-6.

Fine Motor Activity Ideas for Ages 0-2

Here are some great ways to get started with fine motor activities for your little one:

• Grasping and letting go (rings, blocks, rattles, favorite blanket or stuffed animal).
• Turning objects in their hands (again, blocks, rings, other favorite toys. Introducing new and novel toys will also encourage them to explore and turn that object in their hands to figure it out).
• Stacking blocks (for this age stacking 2-6 blocks is age appropriate).
• Drawing with crayons.
• Snapping, buttoning (very large buttons and this is more appropriate for closer to age 12-18 months).

Some great times to work on fine motor skills is when your child is in their highchair or during bath time.

When babies begin to eat regular food, giving them small finger foods is a great way to develop their fine motor skills.

In the bath, let them fill and empty various containers and spill water. This will encourage them to use their hands to explore things around them. You can use recycled yogurt containers or any small container that you have laying around your house.

Music is a great way to introduce new toys that rattle and noisemakers that they can play with to the music.

Blowing bubbles and letting an older baby catch or pop them will also encourage them to use both their hands.

For smaller infants who aren’t ready for these types of activities, tummy time is a great way to encourage using their hands. Stacking blocks, pushing blocks through holes, using rattles and noisy toys, and encouraging them to pick up and hold things in their hands.

Of course, reading is always a great activity to include. You can find a variety of board books or books with tabs that baby can practice turning or grabbing. We also enjoyed these My First Touch and Feel Picture Cards at this age.