Your Child’s Developmental Milestones
Watching your child learn and grow is full of small moments and achievements—like when they hold a crayon for the first time or proudly button or zip up their own coat. Mastering these fine motor skills help build independence and confidence every day.
Let’s explore what fine motor skills are, why they matter, and how you can support your child’s development.
Katie Ambrosio
Special Education Teacher at Penfield Children’s Center
Fine motor skills are movement and physical development markers focused on smaller muscle groups in the body, like hands, fingers, and wrists.
Explore Fine Motor DevelopmentGross motor skills are movement and physical development markers that involve moving large muscle groups in the body. This movement helps your child develop balance, strength, and coordination. Some examples of gross motor skills include crawling, standing, walking, and sitting.
Get the Scoop on Gross Motor SkillsEarly childhood speech and language development centers around sounds, words, and non-verbal cues. These communication skills range from a baby looking at you or smiling when you say their name to a toddler articulating full sentences.
See How Speech & Language Impacts Overall DevelopmentCognitive development refers to the brain and how your child learns, thinks, and understands the world around them. Examples of cognitive development include things like problem-solving and critical thinking, understanding cause and effect, and recalling information.
Learn More About Cognitive DevelopmentSocial and emotional development refers to how your child learns to understand and manage emotions, build relationships, and navigate social situations. This includes skills like expressing feelings appropriately, developing empathy, forming friendships, and learning how to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts.
Learn More About Social and Emotional Development
Fine motor skills are movement and physical development markers focused on smaller muscle groups in the body, like hands, fingers, and wrists.
Gross motor skills are movement and physical development markers that involve moving large muscle groups in the body. This movement helps your child develop balance, strength, and coordination. Some examples of gross motor skills include crawling, standing, walking, and sitting.
Early childhood speech and language development centers around sounds, words, and non-verbal cues. These communication skills range from a baby looking at you or smiling when you say their name to a toddler articulating full sentences.
Cognitive development refers to the brain and how your child learns, thinks, and understands the world around them. Examples of cognitive development include things like problem-solving and critical thinking, understanding cause and effect, and recalling information.
Social and emotional development refers to how your child learns to understand and manage emotions, build relationships, and navigate social situations. This includes skills like expressing feelings appropriately, developing empathy, forming friendships, and learning how to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts.
Fine motor skills are movement and physical development markers focused on smaller muscle groups in the body, like hands, fingers, and wrists.
Gross motor skills are movement and physical development markers that involve moving large muscle groups in the body. This movement helps your child develop balance, strength, and coordination. Some examples of gross motor skills include crawling, standing, walking, and sitting.
Early childhood speech and language development centers around sounds, words, and non-verbal cues. These communication skills range from a baby looking at you or smiling when you say their name to a toddler articulating full sentences.
Parenting is a journey. As you navigate your child’s development, Penfield Building Blocks is here to support you with trusted information, resources, and guidance every step of the way.
Whether you’re just curious if your child is on track or you’re looking to start early intervention services, we are by your side.
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