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: 18-21 Months

You may choose a different domain, go back, or click on a skill below for more information.

Observe the child using fingers to string beads, feed a piggy bank, and read a book with an adult.

The adult plays with the child and demonstrates the different activities.

The child orients the string toward the hole in the bead. (If the bead is large and the end of the string is stiff, the child may get it in the hole.) The child enjoys getting the money or poker chips to drop into a slot. This requires orienting the chip to the slot.

A simple, but popular homemade toy is a Pringles can with a slot cut in the top and poker chips. Encourage parents to provide opportunities such as this for the child to practice fine motor skills during play. (They can also put toast in a toaster slot, a DVD in the player, dollars in a wallet, etc.)