Encouraging Fine Motor Skill Development

4 to 6 Months

This is a crucial period in the development of your baby's fine motor skills. During these months, he'll start to learn to coordinate his thoughts with his hand movements. He won't just pick up any old toy; he'll reach for, grab, and mouth his favorites. He'll also begin to grab his own hands and feet and transfer objects from hand to hand. "This type of exploration teaches your child cause and effect and shows him that his actions have an impact on the world," Philibert says.

Helping Hands

• Play pat-a-cake or "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" with your baby to help improve her coordination.
• Press a soft block between your baby's hands for practice holding toys.
• Shift your baby's positions frequently. When an infant learns to play in a new position, such as on her side, her motor skills are challenged in different ways and develop more thoroughly.