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: Manipulation/Tool use

Age: 10-12 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 10-12 Months.

Observe the child with a variety of toys, including objects that can be combined, such as blocks; objects with holes; objects with a purpose, such as a phone; objects you can push or pull, such as a car; and a puzzle with knobs.

Observe the child playing with the variety of toys. After the child chooses one and demonstrates what she can do, replace it with another toy. Continue until you have seen a repertoire of different actions with the toys.

The infant is beginning to see how objects can be combined. She manipulates objects in ways that are appropriate to the purpose of the object.

Children often have favorite toys, but these encourage repetition of the same actions. Early childhood educators and parents can rotate toys each day, so the infant doesn’t always just explore favorites. All objects require manipulation in some way, so encourage parents to let the infant participate with any routines and safe objects. They can bang a spoon in a pot or dump toys in a box.