Physical Health and Motor Development

By 9 months, most children:

• Hold onto a toy when it is handed to them
• Reach for, grasp, and shake things
• Bring hands and objects to their mouth
• Transfer a toy from one hand to another
• Pat, shake, or hit objects
• Mimic a hand clap or wave

By 18 months, most children:

• Turn the pages of books and point to pictures while being read to
• Hold objects in both hands
• Pick up very small objects with their index finger and thumb
• Bang two toys together
• Play pat-a-cake without much help (such as someone moving their hands for them)
• Begin to stack two to three blocks

By 24 months, most children:

• Open cabinets, drawers, and boxes
• String large beads
• Turn containers over to empty out the contents
• Remove lids from containers
• Stack four to six large blocks/cubes
• Attempt snipping with scissors

By 36 months, most children:

• String large beads onto shoe laces
• Turn knobs and unscrew lids, put lids on post, unwrap candy, etc.
• Put three or four pieces into a puzzle board
• Dig and scoop sand or water
• Use scissors

By 48 months, most children:

• String small beads onto shoe laces
• Continues to fit together manipulatives and connecting toys (e.g., Legos, bristle blocks)
• Use scissors with purpose

By 60 months, most children:

• Fold a piece of paper with accuracy and symmetry
• Work a puzzles of up to 10 pieces
• Use simple tools (e.g., stapler, hole punch, scissors, tape dispenser)
• Hold paper and begin to cut with scissors along a straight line