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Stages of Motor Control Progress

Individual children develop motor control at different rates, but there are average ages at which most children refine their ability to move and coordinate their hands, feet and limbs. The stages of motor control involve very simple movement and manipulation during the first year of infancy. As children grow, their developing minds allow more refined and detailed muscle movements, and their developing ability to conceptualize causes, effects and abstract ideas allow them to create simple art and manipulate more complex toys.

  1. Motor Control Development in Infancy

    • On average, babies begin to exhibit some muscle and motor control by the age of 1 month. By this time, they are able to turn and lift their heads. Between the ages of 1 and 3 months, babies develop basic grasping and grabbing proficiency. At this time they learn to hold objects and to move their hands to their mouths. As they progress toward 6 months old, babies refine their use of hands to grasp, hold and lift objects. By 6 months old, they are typically able to enjoy and play with toys within their reach, and they frequently explore objects by placing them in their mouths. They learn to pass objects from one hand to another, and they begin to reach for objects outside of their reach by 9 months old. By the age of 1 year, babies have learned to coordinate their thumbs and can crudely grasp small objects between the thumb and pointer finger. By this age, most babies begin attempting to walk and can clumsily manipulate cups and eating utensils.

    Motor Control From 1 to 3 Years

    • From 12 to 18 months, babies learn to scribble with crayons, to stack blocks and to manipulate large, simple toys. They continue to refine their manipulation of spoons, cups and other small tools. By the age of 2, children can jump with both feet off the ground. As children approach 3 years old, they learn to balance on one foot. This is also the age at which children develop the balance and coordination to ride a tricycle. At age 3, their propensity for scribbling develops into more deliberate attempts at drawing simple shapes and characters. They become proficient at getting undressed and can assist parents in the process of getting dressed. By the age of 3, children are able to run, jump, climb, hop and walk up stairs. As children near the age of 4, they become more adept at dressing themselves, learning to manipulate buttons and zippers on their clothing.

    Motor Control in Ages 4 to 6 Years

    • Drawing skills continue to improve at age 4. By the age of 5, children learn to throw a ball. Some also learn the basic eye-hand coordination necessary to throw in a specific direction or catch a thrown ball. Five and 6 year olds can manipulate velcro on shoes and, if sufficiently taught and coached, can tie shoelaces.

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