By 9 to 10 months, which fine motor skill is expected?

By 9 to 10 months, which fine motor skill is expected?

• A. Poking with finger
• B. Raking grasp
• C. Pincer grasp
• D. Palmar grasp

Answer: (C)

By 9 to 10 months, infants typically demonstrate a refined pincer grasp, using the thumb and index finger to grasp small objects with precision. This shift to thumb–finger opposition reflects advancing neuromuscular control and hand-eye coordination and is a hallmark of fine motor development at this age. Earlier grasp patterns have already appeared: the palmar (whole-hand) grasp dominates around 4–6 months, and the raking grasp, which uses the fingers to pull objects toward the palm, appears around 6 months. Poking with a finger isn’t a standardized milestone for this age and doesn’t show the coordinated thumb–index control that defines the pincer grasp. Mastery of the pincer grasp enables picking up tiny items and transitioning objects between hands, setting the stage for more complex manipulation.

By 9 to 10 months, infants typically demonstrate a refined pincer grasp, using the thumb and index finger to grasp small objects with precision. This shift to thumb–finger opposition reflects advancing neuromuscular control and hand-eye coordination and is a hallmark of fine motor development at this age. Earlier grasp patterns have already appeared: the palmar (whole-hand) grasp dominates around 4–6 months, and the raking grasp, which uses the fingers to pull objects toward the palm, appears around 6 months. Poking with a finger isn’t a standardized milestone for this age and doesn’t show the coordinated thumb–index control that defines the pincer grasp. Mastery of the pincer grasp enables picking up tiny items and transitioning objects between hands, setting the stage for more complex manipulation.