Normal Development:
- Uses thumb and pointer finger to explore objects, turn knobs, dials, etc. (10–20 months)
- Builds a tower of three blocks (13–21 months)
- Draws simple, straight lines (14–24 months)
- Scribble with a crayon (16–20 months)
- Turns over containers to pour out the insides (16–24 months)
- May begin to show “righty” or “lefty” preference, but may not decide for a several more years (16–33 months)
What You Can Do:
- Play with cheerios
- Play with blocks
- Give your child paper and crayons (jumbo size crayons are great, but make sure your baby doesn’t eat them!)
- Play with puzzles
- Let your child practice using a spoon
- Water play in the bath
- When reading, let your child turn the pages of the book
Our Advice:
- It’s important to let your child practice using their fine motor skills, even though their practice can get messy (like when using a spoon). This is all a part of the process. Try to embrace the mess!
- Let your child use a small cup to learn how to drink on their own.
- Be mindful of choking hazards. If the item your child is playing with is small enough to fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is too small for them to play with!
Try not to compare yourself to other parents, or your baby to other babies. Every family is different!