Observe whether the child: passes toys from one hand to the other.
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
Brings the other hand to the toy and may accidentally transfer or briefly release and re-grasp, but transfers are inconsistent and easily disrupted.
What you might see
Keeps a toy in one hand and does not bring the other hand to it; if they need the other hand, they drop the toy.
When offered a second object, drops the first rather than transferring it to free a hand.
Fumbles or releases the toy when turning the body or changing posture (e.g., from sitting to crawling).
Touches the toy with the free hand and briefly releases/re-grasps, but the toy often falls during the attempt.
Transfers only when the adult places the toy into the other hand or guides the movement.
Transfers one specific toy successfully but struggles with different shapes/sizes (rattle vs. block).
Expected
On track
Intentionally passes a toy from one hand to the other while sitting or supported, though may drop it when distracted or moving.
What you might see
Passes a toy from one hand to the other while seated, then repeats the transfer when prompted (“swap hands”).
Maintains hold through a transfer most of the time but occasionally drops the toy when excited.
Transfers a toy to free the other hand to tap, point, or pick up another object.
Exceeding
Going further
Smoothly transfers a range of toys between hands during play and uses transfer to keep holding a toy while reaching, turning pages, or shifting posture.
What you might see
Transfers smoothly during play without looking closely at hands (continues attention on the toy/action).
Keeps a toy while turning a book page by transferring the toy to the other hand first.
Transfers a toy while shifting position (sitting to hands-and-knees) without dropping it.
Swaps the toy to the hand that will work better for the next action (e.g., transfers to reach into a container).
Uses two hands in sequence (transfer, then bang/tap/put-in) with clear intention rather than random switching.
Participates in a simple “give it to me / take it back” game, transferring the toy to pass it and re-grasping reliably.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
During floor play, offer a toy at the midline and notice whether your child can move it from one hand to the other without dropping it.
At mealtime, give a safe finger food or spoon and observe whether your child transfers it between hands to keep holding it while reaching for something else.
At bath time, offer a small cup or sponge and notice whether your child passes it hand-to-hand while splashing, squeezing, or pouring.
At story time, give your child a small toy and see whether they transfer it to free a hand to turn pages or point to pictures.
During a transition (high chair to floor, pram to car seat), watch whether your child can keep hold of a toy by transferring it rather than dropping it.
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).
Defines hand-to-hand transfer as an observable developmental indicator supporting bimanual play and later tool use.
Developmental research
Greaves, Imms, Krumlinde-Sundholm, Dodd & Eliasson (2012), Bimanual behaviours in children aged 8–18 months: A literature review (Research in Developmental Disabilities).
Bimanual actions and toy manipulation are well-characterized in this age window, grounding concrete observations of transfer and coordinated two-hand play.
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
Holds a toy in one hand but does not intentionally transfer it to the other hand, often dropping it when reaching or changing position.
Keeps a toy in one hand and does not bring the other hand to it; if they need the other hand, they drop the toy.
When offered a second object, drops the first rather than transferring it to free a hand.
Fumbles or releases the toy when turning the body or changing posture (e.g., from sitting to crawling).
Emerging
Brings the other hand to the toy and may accidentally transfer or briefly release and re-grasp, but transfers are inconsistent and easily disrupted.
Touches the toy with the free hand and briefly releases/re-grasps, but the toy often falls during the attempt.
Transfers only when the adult places the toy into the other hand or guides the movement.
Transfers one specific toy successfully but struggles with different shapes/sizes (rattle vs. block).
Developing
Intentionally passes a toy from one hand to the other while sitting or supported, though may drop it when distracted or moving.
Passes a toy from one hand to the other while seated, then repeats the transfer when prompted (“swap hands”).
Maintains hold through a transfer most of the time but occasionally drops the toy when excited.
Transfers a toy to free the other hand to tap, point, or pick up another object.
Secure
Smoothly transfers a range of toys between hands during play and uses transfer to keep holding a toy while reaching, turning pages, or shifting posture.
Transfers smoothly during play without looking closely at hands (continues attention on the toy/action).
Keeps a toy while turning a book page by transferring the toy to the other hand first.
Transfers a toy while shifting position (sitting to hands-and-knees) without dropping it.
Reflexive
Uses hand-to-hand transfer as part of purposeful two-handed play (swap to the more effective hand, hold-and-use sequences) and repeats the skill in social give-and-take games.
Swaps the toy to the hand that will work better for the next action (e.g., transfers to reach into a container).
Uses two hands in sequence (transfer, then bang/tap/put-in) with clear intention rather than random switching.
Participates in a simple “give it to me / take it back” game, transferring the toy to pass it and re-grasping reliably.
