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 activities for ages 0-2 years old.

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.

I've written a very detailed book all about the development of fine motor skills and lots of age-appropriate activity ideas. You can find out all about it here, Basics of Fine Motor Skills.

Basics of Fine Motor Skills: Developmental Activities for kids.

For more ideas, you can also check out my Pinterest board below.

Follow Heather G. | Golden Reflections Blog ‘s board Fine Motor Skills for Babies on Pinterest.

 

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Fine motor activity ideas for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-4.

 

Heather Greutman, COTA

Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based OT services for preschool through high school. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies for parents, educators, and therapists. She is the author of many ebooks including The Basics of Fine Motor Skills, and Basics of Pre-Writing Skills, and co-author of Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.

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CONTENT DISCLAIMER: Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
All information on the Website is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice from a physician or your pediatrician. Please consult with a medical professional if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child. The information on the Websites does not replace the relationship between therapist and client in a one-on-one treatment session with an individualized treatment plan based on their professional evaluation. The information provided on the Website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.

Do not rely on the information on the Website as an alternative to advice from your medical professional or healthcare provider. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment as a result of any information provided on the Website. All medical information on the Website is for informational purposes only.

All activities outlined on the Website are designed for completion with adult supervision. Please use your own judgment with your child and do not provide objects that could pose a choking hazard to young children. Never leave a child unattended during these activities. Please be aware of and follow all age recommendations on all products used in these activities. Growing Hands-On Kids is not liable for any injury when replicating any of the activities found on this blog.

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