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Understanding the differences between age-appropriate hand development of two year-olds and three year-olds is critical and essential to providing quality hand skill opportunities for two year-olds. The hands of two year-olds often appear "puffy" and are less refined than those of three year-old children. In addition, two year-olds tend to use their whole hand to manipulate objects, tools, and toys, which is developmentally appropriate. It is not until three years of age that children attain the developmental milestone "separation of hand", where Thumbkin, Pointer, and Middleman separate from Ringman and Pinky for functional tool use.
Provide two year-olds with a wide variety of whole hand activities to build gross grasp, visual perception, cognitive, and social skills such as those we recommend below. Resist the temptation to put pencils in the hands of two year-olds as they are not developmentally ready to hold and manage them effectively! Giving two year-olds the time they need to develop their hand skills appropriately reflects our respect for each child's developmental process and thus raises our level of professional practice and parenting.
Supporting our Terrific Two Year-Olds ...Write Out of the Box!
Dr. Mari |
