Motor Development

Gross and Fine Motor Development in the First Two Years

Motor Skills Average Age Achieved Age Range in which 90%
Of Infants Achieve the Skill
When held upright, holds head erect and steady 6 weeks 3 weeks – 4 months
When prone, lifts self by arms 2 months 3 weeks – 4 months
Rolls from side to back 2 months 3 weeks – 5 months
Grasps Cube 3 months, 3 weeks 2 – 7 months
Rolls from back to side 4 months, 2 weeks 2 – 7 months
Sits alone 7 months 5 – 9 months
Crawls 7 months 5 – 11 months
Pulls to standing 8 months 5 – 12 months
Plays patty-cake 9 months, 3 weeks 7 – 15 months
Stands alone 11 months 9 – 16 months
Walks alone 11 months, 3 weeks 9 – 17 months
Builds tower of 2 cubes 11 months, 3 weeks 10 – 19 months
Scribbles vigorously 14 months 10 – 21 months
Walks up stairs with help 16 months 12 – 23 months
Jumps in place 23 months, 2 weeks 17 – 30 months
Walks on tiptoe 25 months 16 – 30 months
Voluntary Reaching
Pre-reaching – batting at objects 2 months 1 – 4 months
Reaching with ulnar grasp (palm w/ fingers) 3 months, 3 weeks 3 – 4 months
Transferring object from hand to hand 4 months 4 – 5 months
Pincer grasp (thumb and finger) 9 months 9 – 12 months

Sources: Bayley, 1993. Berk, 2005

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