Grasping milestones progress from reflexive grips to precise thumb-and-finger control, starting with newborns' involuntary grasp (palmar reflex), moving to whole-hand grasping by 4-6 months (ulnar palmar, palmar), developing a raking grasp by 7-9 months, and achieving the crucial thumb-and-finger pincer grasp (pads of fingers/thumb) around 9-12 months for picking up small items, leading to more complex skills like transferring objects and self-feeding.
Grasp development timeline:
Reaching toward objects, not yet grasping (2 to 4 months) Grasp and explore objects with their whole hands, often dropping unintentionally (4 to 6 months) Use a raking grasp to try to pick up a small object (5 to 9 months) Pass an object from one hand to the other (6 to 9 months)
(Referred to as “visually directed reaching.”) • 3-7 months: Child is able to hold a small object in each hand. 4-5 months • Touches fingers together • Begins reaching with both hands at the same time. Able to reach and grasp a small toy using both hands.
Also, being able to grasp things is your baby's first step on the road to eating, reading, writing, drawing, and self-care. As a newborn, your baby has an innate ability to grasp objects.
Digital Pronate Grasp – Ages 2 to 3 Years Old
Your child typically holds their pencil with their fingers. Their wrist is straight with the thumb pointed down. Movement now will come from their elbow.
1-2 years old: Fisted grip or Palmar Supinate Grip. Children often hold their writing tool like a dagger, scribbling using their whole arm. 2-3 years old: Digital Pronate grip. All fingers are holding the writing tool but the wrist is turned so that the palm is facing down towards the page.
Red flags for a 2-year-old include significant speech delays (no 2-word phrases, unclear speech), not following simple instructions, lack of interest in interacting with others, not using common objects appropriately (like a brush or spoon), difficulty with motor skills (unsteady walking, losing skills), poor eye contact, or loss of previously learned skills, suggesting potential developmental concerns that warrant a pediatrician visit.
Some circumstances in which we should be concerned about a child's grasp development are: If at any point the child is fatiguing quickly during coloring/writing. If child displays weakness or poor stamina during fine or gross motor play.
Three key red flags at 12 months, indicating a need to talk to a pediatrician, include not responding to name/not babbling/not using gestures like waving, not crawling or dragging one side of the body, and not searching for hidden objects or pointing to show things, as these suggest potential delays in communication, movement, and cognitive skills.
About 90% of children can walk unassisted by 15 months of age, though the normal range for first steps is wide, typically between 9 and 18 months, with many starting between 12 and 15 months. If a child isn't walking by 18 months, it's recommended to consult a pediatrician, as this can signal a delay, but individual development varies.
Months Is not gazing at objects; does not tune out repetitive sounds; does not move eyes to follow sound Does not respond to loud sounds Does not coo or make sounds When lying on back: keeps hands fisted and lacks arm movements; is not bringing hands to mouth; lacks symmetrical arm movements; does not turn head to ...
The 5-3-3 rule is a loose guideline for structuring a baby's sleep schedule: 5 hours of wake time before the first nap, 3 hours of wake time before the second nap, and 3 hours before bedtime.
SIDS is less common after 8 months of age, but parents and caregivers should continue to follow safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death until baby's first birthday. More than 90% of all SIDS deaths occur before 6 months of age.
Developmental milestones are a set of goals or markers that a child is expected to achieve during maturation. They are categorized into 5 domains: gross motor, fine motor, language, cognitive, and social-emotional and behavioral.
Reach, grasp and release are fundamental fine motor skills. At this early stage it is important to begin to develop these skills as they are building blocks to complex fine motor skills which develop later.
Fine Motor Development Chart
The "3-3-3 Rule" for toddlers is a simple mindfulness and grounding technique to calm anxiety by engaging their senses: name 3 things they can see, identify 3 sounds they can hear, and move 3 different parts of their body (like hands, feet, head). This helps shift focus from overwhelming thoughts to the present moment, acting as a "brain reset" for emotional regulation during meltdowns or stress, making it a useful tool for building emotional intelligence and control.
Symptoms may include:
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
A retained palmar reflex may show up as poor pencil grasp, messy handwriting, or the tongue protruding while they work. Fine Motor Tasks: Give your child small objects to pick up, like coins or beads. Difficulty grasping, clumsy finger movements, or noticeable strain may be signs of retention.
Unusual Body Movement
A child at risk for autism might move their hands, fingers, or other body parts in an odd and repetitive manner.
Early Precision Teachers identified the 'Big 6' components of skilled hand movements including reach, touch, point, place, grasp, and release (Binder & Haughton, 2002; Haughton, 1980).
Signs of autism in children
Between 8 and 12 months, many babies start to wave “hello” and “goodbye.” These seemingly simple gestures actually combine at least three distinct types of skills: Cognitive: waving begins as imitation, which means your baby needs to see you wave, understand that the gesture has meaning, and try it on their own.
A general danger sign is present if: ➢ the child is not able to drink or breastfeed ➢ the child vomits everything ➢ the child has had convulsions ➢ the child is lethargic or unconscious. A child with a general danger sign has a serious problem. Most children with a general danger sign need URGENT referral to hospital.