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DR 3: Children show physical and motor competence
⇣ Indicator: MOT—Children demonstrate an increased proficiency in motor skills
⇣ Measure 42: Grasp/Release and Manipulation—
Child uses hands to grasp, release, and manipulate objects
	Descriptors	Examples
9	Shows increasing refinement and detail in fine motor movements requiring strength or control of fingers	Places paper clips on paper. Holds deck of card and sorts them. Uses fork and knife to cut. Cuts out picture following general shape.
8	Manipulates small objects requiring precise eye-hand coordination	Holds writing tool with correct position (thumb and two fingers). Laces two holes in shoes. Buttons small buttons.
7	Manipulates objects with each hand doing something different, to smoothly accomplish simple tasks	Unbuttons large buttons. Spreads with knife. Strings beads. Peels stickers from paper backing.
6	Manipulates objects with both hands together to accomplish a task or do an activity	Puts pop-beads together. Stirs with both hands on spoon. Shovels with both hands on shovel. Rolls a snake or makes a ball with play dough.
5	Manipulates objects using one hand while stabilizing the object with the other hand	Uses a turning motion with hand and wrist while trying to open twist tops. Pulls up a zipper that is started by an adult. Feeds self using spoon while holding bowl with other hand.
4	Picks up or holds things with fingertip(s) and thumb	Holds spoon using thumb and fingers to feed doll. Picks up small object using thumb and more than one finger. Puts things into small openings. Pulls VelcroTM to undo shoes. Uses index finger and thumb to pick up a piece of food.
3	Uses full hand grasp with thumb closed on fist	Adjusts grasp to size and shape of toy or food. Holds crayon with full fist. Releases one object to take another.
2	Uses arms and hands to interact with things in the environment	Reaches out and grasps objects near body. Curls fingers and pulls objects closer in a “raking” motion. Keeps hands open most of the time. Manipulates objects with hands and fingers.
1	Grasp reflex	Curls fingers around adult’s finger when placed in palm. Holds hands in fisted position.

Measure 42 — MOT 3

Grasp/Release and Manipulation

Child uses hands to grasp, release, and manipulate objects

The ability to grasp and release objects is required for developing proficient fine motor skills. Typically, grasping precedes releasing objects. The subsequent ability to manipulate refers to the use of hand and finger muscles to control objects. Proficient use of the hands to grasp/release or manipulate objects occurs in conjunction with, and is important to, development in other areas. Grasp/release and manipulation skills enable children to engage in play, become more independent in self-care skills, and participate in a variety of early learning activities.

Newborn infants demonstrate a grasp reflex when a stimulus (such as an adult’s finger or a small object) puts light pressure on the inside of their hand. The response (the grasp reflex) is a firm grasp on the object, although the newborn cannot demonstrate a voluntary grasp or release. Their ability to voluntarily grasp objects emerges later when they begin to use their arms and hands to interact with things in their environments by swiping at objects and grasping them briefly. The first type of grasp that infants demonstrate is a full hand grasp, surrounding objects with their whole hand. They soon are able to use a "palmer grasp," which means they hold objects on the little finger side of their hand and against their palm. Infants eventually learn to pass an object from one hand to the other and to hold an object in one hand while the other hand performs an action on the object. For example, while holding a rattle in one hand, they can spin a part on the rattle with the other hand. Later in infancy, they are able to hold objects away from their palm and between their thumb and fingers closest to the thumb. For example, they can hold a small piece of cracker without it resting in their palm. By the end of the infancy period, infants are able to use a pincer grasp, using thumb and index finger to pick up and hold small objects, such as a piece of cereal. They are also able to demonstrate a deliberate release of objects, such as dropping objects into containers.

Toddlers use their grasp/release and manipulation skills to place objects in defined spaces or remove objects from defined spaces. For example, they put things in small openings and remove objects from holes. Toddlers are also able to manipulate an object with one hand while stabilizing the object with the other hand. For example, they can spin the wheels of a toy truck with one hand while holding the truck with the other hand. Toddlers practice grasp/release and manipulation skills throughout the day in activities of play and self-care. This helps them develop strength and dexterity in their hands that enables them to do such things as pick up a crayon and position it in their hand to scribble on paper. Older toddlers and young preschoolers further refine their strength and dexterity by using both hands together to accomplish tasks or to participate in an activity. For example, they might roll playdough or put pop-beads together and take them apart.

A major change for young preschoolers in grasp/release and manipulation abilities involves the increased use of precise finger movements. Preschoolers are able to manipulate objects with each hand doing something different to accomplish tasks. They are able to cut with scissors, string beads, and manipulate markers, crayons, and pencils.

Older preschoolers are able to manipulate small objects in ways that require precise eye-hand coordination. For example, they can connect two ends of a zipper on a jacket or lace strings through holes in shoes. As strength and dexterity continue to develop, preschoolers demonstrate increased refinement of their fine motor skills. They can accomplish tasks that require greater control and strength, such as cutting out pictures following a general shape or using eye-droppers to pick up colored water.

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