Which motor skills typically develops between 13 and 18 months of age?

Which motor skills typically develops between 13 and 18 months of age?

Gross Motor Skills:

Gross motor skills involve the movement and control of larger muscle groups and whole body movements. These skills typically develop in a predictable sequence, with each milestone building upon the previous one.

By around 13 to 14 months, most children can walk independently. They may be a bit wobbly at first, but as they gain confidence and practice, their walking becomes more stable.

By 15 months, children can often climb stairs while holding onto a rail or caregiver's hand. They are also able to crawl up onto furniture or climb off low surfaces, such as a step or a small chair. These climbing skills require strength, balance, and coordination.

Between 16 and 18 months of age, children usually learn to kick a ball forward and throw objects with more precision. They may still use a whole-arm motion to throw, but their aim and control improve with practice. They also start to show an interest in pushing and pulling toys, as well as carrying objects while walking.

Fine Motor Skills:

Fine motor skills involve the smaller muscles of the hands and fingers, as well as eye-hand coordination. The development of fine motor skills allows children to manipulate objects, feed themselves, and engage in activities that require precision and dexterity.

Between 13 and 15 months, children start to gain more control over their pincer grasp. They can pick up smaller objects, such as cereal or small toys, between their thumb and forefinger. They enjoy exploring objects by poking, patting, and banging them together.

By 16 to 18 months, children can stack two or three blocks. They may still knock them down more often than building a tower, but their coordination and concentration improve. They also begin to use a spoon to feed themselves, although they may still prefer to use their hands.

Other Developmental Milestones:

Between 13 and 18 months, children also show progress in other areas of development that contribute to their overall motor skills.

Language development: Children start to use more words and gestures to communicate their needs and wants. They may point to objects or say simple words like "ball" or "mama." The development of language skills is closely linked to motor skills, as both require coordination and brain development.

Social development: Toddlers at this age become more social and enjoy imitating others. They may engage in pretend play, imitating actions they have seen or playing with toy telephones or kitchen sets. These social interactions help further develop their fine and gross motor skills.

Sensory exploration: Children are naturally curious and want to explore their environment. They engage in activities that stimulate their senses, such as touching different textures, tasting different foods, and listening to different sounds. These sensory experiences support their fine and gross motor skill development.

In conclusion, the period between 13 and 18 months of age is a time of significant motor skill development for children. They become more mobile, refine their walking and climbing abilities, and enhance their fine motor skills in tasks like stacking and using utensils. Caregivers can support their child's motor skill development by providing safe and stimulating environments, engaging in play activities, and providing opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Between 13 and 18 months of age, toddlers typically develop the ability to walk more confidently, climb stairs with support, and start to kick a ball.

Toddlers between 13 and 18 months of age usually start to use a pincer grasp to pick up small objects, feed themselves using their hands, and scribble with crayons or markers.

Most children start to learn to stack blocks between 13 and 18 months of age. They may begin by using two or three blocks and gradually progress to higher towers.

Self-feeding for toddlers aged 13 to 18 months involves the development of fine motor skills, such as using fingers to grab food and bringing it to their mouths, as well as hand-eye coordination to accurately aim the food into their mouths.

Children aged 13 to 18 months can typically engage in activities such as walking or running with assistance, cruising along furniture, exploring their environment by crawling, and playing with push toys.