Children may be referred to occupational therapy due to concerns regarding motor skill development or sensory processing or both. Below are some general guidelines for developmental expectations in motor skill development. If your child is delayed, an occupational therapy evaluation may be indicated.
| By Age 1 |
1-2 years |
2-3 years |
3-4 years |
4-5 years |
Fine Motor
Reaches and grasps, puts objects in mouth, transfers from hand to hand, removes and places objects in a container |
Fine Motor
Builds 3-cube tower, places pegs in peg board, scribbles, puts rings on a stick, turns knob
|
Fine Motor
Strings 4 large beads, turns pages in a book, snips with scissors, imitates circular, horizontal, and vertical strokes
|
Fine Motor
Builds 9-cube tower, copies circle, imitates cross, manipulates, drives pegs
|
Fine Motor
Cuts on a line, copies square, copies a cross
|
Gross Motor
Sits unsupported, crawls, pulls to stand, stands alone, walks with aid, rolls a ball
|
Gross Motor
Walks alone, walks backward, picks up toy from floor without falling, pulls/pushes toys, walks up and down stairs with aid
|
Gross Motor
Runs forward well, jumps in place with two feet, walks on tiptoes, kicks a ball forward, stands on one foot with aid
|
Gross Motor
Walk on a line, balances on one foot for 5-10 seconds, hops on one foot, rides tricycle, uses slide, throws and catches a ball
|
Gross Motor
Jumps forward, walks up and down stairs alternating feet, turns a somersault
|
Self-help
Bites and chews cracker, eats mashed food, pulls shirt off face |
Self-help
Feeds with spoon, drinks from sippy cup, takes off socks and shoes
|
Self-help
Begins potty training, undresses alone, drinks from open cup, is independent and neat with utensils
|
Self-help
Dresses alone, potty trained
|
Self-help
Manipulates fasteners
|
|
