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Early Childhood Intervention
This website is a place for families who are facing
challenges pertaining to their child's development and
growth.
It is a place to find answers and practical
suggestions. That's what Early Intervention Support is all
about.
Whether a family has a child with a challenging behavior,
a disability or developmental issue, childhood is short - it
should be savored and enjoyed.
Learn More:
Ask a Therapist
We understand developmental milestones and the challenges
of Special Needs children. We spend a great deal of time
with families understanding the inner workings of childhood
routines and interactions. Ask us about your child today!
Ask a Therapist
Fine Motor Skills for Infants - 3-6 Months
At this time, discovery of hands and feet is occurring.
Your infant grasps objects within reach. From belly position, he or she
will be rolling onto his or her back.
With support, your infant can be positioned in sitting. He or she will
recognize consistent caregivers. Babbling begins, as does responding to
high-pitched sounds.
Parenting Tips for Fine Motor Skills:
You can help with infant developmental milestones. Suggested play to help an
infant 3 to 6 months of age develop fine motor skills:
- Encourage looking from one toy to another using floating toys during a
bath. Tape two simple bright pictures a few inches apart on wall next to
where your baby sleeps or plays.
- To promote early reaching, tap your baby's hand with a toy to encourage
reaching. Swipe a dangling toy to show your baby how the toy will dance
when using mobiles and crib gyms.
- To promote reaching with both arms, nuzzle your baby's tummy with your
face to encourage touching your head with both arms, use plastic sunglasses
to promote your baby to reach and pull off, or place a toy between your lips
for reaching and removing.
- Encourage looking at small items. Items of interest may be buttons on
your shirt, colored finger nails, a Band-Aid, or a refrigerator magnet.
- To encourage looking at distant objects, turn ceiling fans on and off,
turn lights on and off, roll a ball past and away from your baby, or look
out the window to see cars, dogs, children playing outside.
- Encourage purposeful release of objects. During a bath, drop toys in
water to make a splash. While seated in a high chair, use cereal (Cheerios
or Rice Crispies) to encourage grasping and releasing a handful. Or do the
same with and ice cube or bits of ice (coldness may promote release).
Fine Motor Skills by Age Group
'Fine motor' refers to the development of small muscle movements of the
hands. Fine motor skills develop as your child's whole body gains mobility,
stability, cognitive, and emotional/social development. Fine motor skills
that come to mind are shoe tying, writing, and cutting paper with scissors.
Contact Information
Find Early Intervention
Support contacts in your State. If you have a question or comment for
us, please visit our Contact page.
Early Intervention Helps with Developmental Delay
For children with Special Needs, intervention in early childhood
development means finding specific ways to help a child become as functional
as possible.
Learn more on our Parenting
Tips
page.
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