North Carolina Early Learning and Development Progressions: Birth to Five

Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Health and Physical Development (HPD)

Subdomain: Motor Development

Goal: Children develop small muscle control and hand-eye coordination to manipulate objects and work with tools.

Skill Progression: Reach/Grasp/Release

Age: 33-36 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 33-36 Months.

Grasp: Uses effective power grasp on tools, such as a screwdriver

Situations for Observation of Skill

Observe the child with a scoop, buried ball, and target.

Elicitation Strategy

Encourage the child to dig up a previously buried ball in the sand. Once the ball is found encourage the child to throw it at a target.

Behavior Observed

The child uses a power grasp to rotate the wrist and turn a tool, such as a scoop, screwdriver, door handle, etc.

Routines-based Intervention (Embedded Instruction)

Encourage parents to let children attempt difficult tasks by themselves. Unlocking the door, turning the handle, helping with fix-it chores, etc., all build confidence as well as fine motor skills and strength.

 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015

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