Pincer Grasp

AaronMatthew's Special Education teacher gave us some puzzles to work on this next week as he works on developing his pincer grasp.

What might come easy to most 3 year olds is challenging to AaronMatthew. It is challenging for him to grasp a tiny object with his thumb and index finger, (known as the pincer grasp). AaronMatthew tends to use 3 or 4 fingers to pick up an object instead of 2.

The pincer grasp is a developmental milestone which occurs neuro-typically between 9 and 11 months of age. Babies generally will use all of their fingers to pick up a toy, spoon or Cheerios.  Then they will refine the skill with their thumb and their index finger. Children with Down Syndrome will generally develop this fine motor skill a little later.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          AaronMatthew needs encouragement to use the pincer grasp and reminders of how to do it at first. But once we work on it for a few minutes, he gets the hang of it and is able to do it for himself and does not need the reminders. AaronMatthew learns best through repetitiveness and copying, especially with action and song.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         AaronMatthew wanted to see if he could pick up the puzzle with both of his index fingers.