8–20 monthsFine Motor SkillsPhysical Development: Moving and Handling
Picks up small objects between thumb and fingers.
Observe whether the child: picks up small objects between thumb and fingers.
What it looks like
Three ways this behaviour shows up as a child grows. Each level includes everyday moments to watch for.
Emerging
Just starting
Sometimes uses thumb and fingers to pick up small objects but precision is inconsistent; may trap items against the palm or use two hands to succeed.
What you might see
When offered a small piece of food (e.g., a pea/raisin), the child swipes at it with the whole hand and pushes it away or cannot lift it from the tray.
The child can grasp larger toys but drops small items repeatedly and does not adjust to use thumb and fingers.
The child picks up a small item by squeezing it against the palm rather than between thumb and fingers, and it often slips out.
The child uses thumb and fingers briefly to lift a small item, but drops it when trying to move it to a bowl or to the mouth.
Expected
On track
Picks up small objects between thumb and fingers in familiar situations (snack, play) but may be slow, occasionally fumble, or need a stable surface/closer placement.
What you might see
The child uses thumb and fingers to pick up several small snack pieces from a flat surface, with occasional fumbling or switching hands.
The child picks up small blocks/beads and can place them into a wide container, but misses the opening sometimes.
Exceeding
Going further
Consistently picks up small objects between thumb and fingers across everyday contexts and can transfer them to a container or mouth with minimal dropping.
What you might see
The child picks up small items (crumbs, small blocks) between thumb and fingers and places them into a container or feeds themselves with minimal drops.
The child retrieves a small item from the floor using thumb and fingers and brings it to an adult or returns it to a box.
The child picks up very small items (tiny bits of paper/sticker pieces) between thumb and fingers and places them precisely onto a spot or into a narrow opening.
When an item is awkward (stuck near an edge), the child adjusts finger position and succeeds without adult help.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
At snack time, place a few small pieces (peas/cereal/raisins) on the tray; notice whether your child picks them up between thumb and fingers rather than scooping with the whole hand.
During tidy-up, offer a small container and a few tiny items (pom-poms, small blocks); observe whether your child can pick up and drop them into the container accurately.
In the bath, offer small foam shapes; notice whether your child pinches them between thumb and fingers to peel them off the wall.
During outdoor play, point out a tiny object (leaf piece, pebble) and see whether your child can pick it up between thumb and fingers and bring it to you.
Connected behaviours
Behaviours that scaffold, follow, or co-emerge with this one.
The framework source and supporting developmental research.
Framework source
Development Matters in the EYFS (2012) — Physical Development: Moving and Handling (8–20 months).
The construct is framework-native and describes early thumb-and-finger grasp as an observable fine-motor behaviour supporting later tool use.
Other sources
Folio, M. R., & Fewell, R. R. (2000). Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2). PRO-ED.
Fine-motor development is operationalised via observable grasping and manipulation tasks aligned with thumb-and-finger pickup of small objects.
Five-level rubric (detailed)ShowHide
The full progression underlying the three levels above. Used by the platform’s reasoning agent when planning activities and observations.
Not Yet
Does not pick up small objects between thumb and fingers; uses a whole-hand grab or raking motion and frequently drops small items. Avoids or cannot manage tiny pieces.
When offered a small piece of food (e.g., a pea/raisin), the child swipes at it with the whole hand and pushes it away or cannot lift it from the tray.
The child can grasp larger toys but drops small items repeatedly and does not adjust to use thumb and fingers.
Emerging
Sometimes uses thumb and fingers to pick up small objects but precision is inconsistent; may trap items against the palm or use two hands to succeed.
The child picks up a small item by squeezing it against the palm rather than between thumb and fingers, and it often slips out.
The child uses thumb and fingers briefly to lift a small item, but drops it when trying to move it to a bowl or to the mouth.
Developing
Picks up small objects between thumb and fingers in familiar situations (snack, play) but may be slow, occasionally fumble, or need a stable surface/closer placement.
The child uses thumb and fingers to pick up several small snack pieces from a flat surface, with occasional fumbling or switching hands.
The child picks up small blocks/beads and can place them into a wide container, but misses the opening sometimes.
Secure
Consistently picks up small objects between thumb and fingers across everyday contexts and can transfer them to a container or mouth with minimal dropping.
The child picks up small items (crumbs, small blocks) between thumb and fingers and places them into a container or feeds themselves with minimal drops.
The child retrieves a small item from the floor using thumb and fingers and brings it to an adult or returns it to a box.
Reflexive
Uses a precise thumb-and-finger grasp flexibly (different sizes, awkward angles), can place small items accurately (posting/containers), and self-corrects grip to succeed.
The child picks up very small items (tiny bits of paper/sticker pieces) between thumb and fingers and places them precisely onto a spot or into a narrow opening.
When an item is awkward (stuck near an edge), the child adjusts finger position and succeeds without adult help.
