The Talaris Institute’s Parenting Counts Center is filled with great resources:http://parentingcounts.org/preview.aspx?a=timeline/physical

Developing Fine Motor Skills:

  • Play hand games with your child, such as clapping and peek-a-boo (birth to 18 months).
  • Let your child scribble using crayons, chalk, and large pencils (18 months to 3 years).
  • Help your child practice tying shoelaces, buttoning clothes, and stringing beads (3 to 5 years).
  • Help your child learn to do things like setting the table, making food, and sorting buttons (5 years to kindergarten entry).
  • Read or show books to your child. Sitting on your lap, a child holds his/her head up, looks at the pictures, listens to your voice, and begins to try to turn the pages
  • Going on short daily walks develops a child’s strength, coordination, and physical health.
Developing the Use of Senses to Guide Motions:
  • Let your child play with toys and objects of various textures, shapes, colors, smells, and sounds (birth to 18 months).
  • Catch and throw different objects together, like large, soft balls and beanbags (18 months to 3 years).
  • Play word games and sing songs that use the body, such as “Follow the Leader” (3 to 5 years).
  • Play games that involve eye-hand coordination, such as hitting a ball with a bat (5 years to kindergarten entry).