Fine Motor Skills your 0-6 month old is Developing and Activities to do with them
Your 0 – 6 month old baby is developing SO many new skills right now. One of these skills sets is the foundations of their Fine Motor Skills. Knowing the milestones your baby is reaching can help you include activities that promote this development effectively. And that’s what we’re discussing today, Mama!
Having a newborn is both thrilling and exhausting. It brings you so much joy but can feel like you’re stuck in a thick layer of fog! Not only has a new baby been birthed but so has a new mama! And just like your baby is experiencing their world for the very first time and you’re experiencing a whole new world too!
If you haven’t already felt the pressure of this, you soon will. Though I’d love to encourage you to be really wise about how much you let it “get in your bubble”. It’s the discussion of milestones!
Are milestones important in early childhood?
Milestones are an important way to check that your baby is developing on track and unfortunately it can create a lot of anxiety especially when we don’t think our littles are living up to those expectations. We question ourselves, as moms, and wonder if we’re doing enough or the right kind of things to make sure they’re developing as they should. (If you feel like that – read this article about being a “good enough” mom!)
These Fine Motor Milestones we’re chatting about today aren’t supposed to make you feel worried. They’re here to give you an idea of things you can do to promote fine motor development effectively. Your child will develop. In their own time. At their own pace. But the more opportunities they have to experience new things and “practice” their skills the more effectively they learn! (This will be something to remember for many years to come!)
Something important to also remember is that children learn best through play. So if you can make their learning into a game or have fun with them, you’re not only going to have a happier baby or toddler, but one who learns better too!
5 Fine Motor Milestones your 0-6 month old is developing
These are 5 Fine Motor Milestones your baby is developing in the first 6 months of their life. Your child will experience a range of success improving as they get more experience and “practice” these skills more often.
Grasping with the whole hand
They’ll be holding objects like a rattle or their small soft toy in their hand. The strength is in the whole hand though. And as they get a bit older, they’ll be able to move that arm around and shake the rattle while they’re holding it.
Reaching for objects
As they grow towards 6 months, you’ll see them start reaching for objects like the toys hanging on their mobile above their cot or during tummy time, if you put an object in front of them, they’ll start reaching out purposefully to try and grasp it.
Control their reaching action by 6 months
By 6 months, they’ll better be able to control that reaching action and be able to select a toy and reach out and pick it up.
Hold objects in both hands (3 months)
By 3 months, your little one will be holding objects for longer periods of time in both hands. They need both hands to start working together to hold that object with enough strength so it doesn’t drop and so they can take a good look at that object.
Hold objects in one hand (5-6 months)
By 5 -6 months, your baba will be able to take that action they were doing with two hands and do it with ONE hand. They will have developed enough strength to hold an object /in one hand comfortably and be able to control that motion.
3 Important Ways you can help your baby reach their Milestones
You may be wondering: How can I help my baby hit their milestones? Here are 3 activities to improve their chances of success!
Use Tummy Time for Fine Motor Development
We know its important but here’s why:
- Build strength of back for posture and core strength and this is the foundation you’re building fine motor development on.
- Shoulder strength and stability by holding themselves up on the elbows
- During this time they also improve hand-eye coordination, bilateral integration (the two sides of the body working together) and a number of other skills.
Have them on their tummy as much as possible and allow them to explore lots of different things from that vantage point.
Give them different toys and objects to reach out for and hold.
These should be bigger – to avoid choking hazards. These do not have to be fancy toys at all. Everyday objects are great too! A plastic spoon, a plastic cup, a facecloth, a flower or twig, your make-up brush.
Just be mindful that everything you give your baby will be moved towards their mouth, so if you’re not sure they should have that twig in their mouth or you don’t really want them gumming your favorite make-up brush, you’re going to need to supervise them more closely.
Also be mindful of the fact that their coordination isn’t great. So there’s a good chance they’re going to bop themselves in the eye or head once or twice. Choose safe objects and supervise closely!
Encourage and celebrate when they succeed!
Encouraging and celebrating your child’s success will build their confidence from a young age and they’ll want to try new things.
When they struggle to hold the toy properly or they bop themselves in the eye, a gentle “oh dear! That’s ok. You’re trying so hard. Keep doing your best.” It’s a tough thing to feel when we’re new parents, but our kiddies NEED to struggle. It’s how they learn resilience. I’m definitely not talking about neglecting a child I’m talking about allowing them to feel difficulty when it comes but being their safe place from which they can experience it.
When they push through the discomfort of struggling, and find a solution to their problem, they will find SUCH satisfaction – celebrate with them when they make that progress!
Keep this in mind when considering your baby’s developmental milestones
Every child is unique and develops at their own pace. “Normal” has a very big range! So just because your child has not yet achieved that milestone in that age group, it doesn’t mean they won’t, and it doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem or major delay.
Two things to keep in mind when it comes to milestones:
- Is there progress?
Are they getting better at skills even if they’re not reaching them at the time when they “should” be? Are they moving from one skill to the next? Are they developing in other skills and areas?
- Are they getting opportunities to practice those skills?
If your child never does tummy time, they’re never going “reach” that milestone. If they never experience a cup one day and only ever drink out of bottles they’ll never “achieve” that milestone. The more opportunities out children have to experience new things the more they can develop and learn. If you’re worried about them not achieving a milestone, consider if they’ve had enough opportunity to encounter it.
If you are concerned about your baby’s progress and if there seem to be delays, consult your pediatrician as soon as possible because early intervention is always best!
Have fun while you boost your child’s development
With all these new skills they’re developing and with all the new challenges and pressures you’re experiencing as a mom of a tiny baby, try to use these learning moments as opportunities for connection. When your baby feels safe and connected to you, their learning and development will feel much less like a chore and more like an opportunity for fun and quality time.
Ready to Learn More about Supporting your Child’s Fine Motor Development?
Here are some more awesome Fine Motor Resources I think you’ll love!
Connect with me
Have you got a new way to play with your child while you have fun developing their fine motor skills – drop a comment to let us know!
Feel free to reach out in the comments or send me an email to connect. It’s my mission to equip and empower you to help your child succeed – you are, after all, the best person for that job, because you are the expert on your child.
