Hey, first-time or new moms – come join the conversation! How old is your little one, and have they started picking up those teeny, tiny things? You know the drill: they spot the smallest crumb, pebble, or dirt and pop it straight into their mouths! If this sounds familiar, don’t worry, it’s totally normal, though it varies with age.
Most babies start picking up tiny objects by around 9 months (the Kavanaugh report, 2021; twinkl.ie). At first, almost everything they find goes straight to their mouths. But as they get older, they become more curious and cautious with what they’re handling. Their visual discrimination skills and pincer grip are strengthening. Let’s look at why the little humans pick up tiny objects in the first place.
My Experience
When my kids started crawling, it was like they’d found treasure everywhere they went! From the living room to the outdoors, every surface was a new world of tiny discoveries. We’d often spot them with a piece of fuzz or a stray crumb heading straight for their mouths. While this stage is natural and exciting, it also kept my husband and I on our toes! We tried to keep the floors as clear as possible, but I was amazed at how sharp their eyes were for spotting tiny “gems”.
Let’s dive into some research to shed more factual light on this topic.
Research Insight
What is the Pincer Grip?
The pincer grip is the ability to pick up tiny items by grasping the thumb and index finger together. This milestone indicates a fine motor development (twinkle.ie). It’s called a pincer grip because it resembles the way crabs and scorpions pick objects up with their front claws (twinkle.ie).
Most babies develop this skill between 9 and 12 months, and it’s crucial for later skills, like writing and handling small objects (the Kavanaugh report, 2021; (twinkle.ie; The Montessori Room, 2024). However, if a child takes longer to display this skill, it can be interpreted as a sign of delayed development (twinkle.ie).
Around 18 months, toddlers enter what’s known as the “sensitive period for small objects,” (the Kavanaugh report, 2021; The Montessori Room, 2024). This lasts until they’re around 3 or 4 years old. During this phase, they’re captivated by small items like pebbles, little toys, and bits of paper (the Kavanaugh report, 2021). This pincer grip action helps them refine their hand-eye coordination and visual discrimination skills. Here are three interesting summer-themed activities in this regard.
Fun Activities to Support you Little Ones’ Development
Visual discrimination is finding small differences between things (the Montessori Room, 2024). If your toddler is obsessed with tiny objects, try turning their curiosity into fun activities that support their development with these ideas by The Montessori Room (2024):
1. Beach Shadow Matching Cards
Help them match images with their shadows, a fantastic visual discrimination game!
[Download Beach Shadow Cards](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0536/5530/6394/files/Shadow_Matching_Cards_-_Beach.pdf)
2. Sandcastle Matching with a Magnifying Glass
Let your child use a magnifying glass to find and match sandcastle pieces – great for fine motor skills!
[Download Sandcastle Matching](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0536/5530/6394/files/Sandcastle_Matching_With_Magnifying_Glass.pdf)
3. Sorting Beach Items by Size
This activity lets them sort objects into small, medium, and large categories, a fun way to practice size differentiation.
[Download Sorting Activity] (https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0536/5530/6394/files/Beach_-_Sorting_By_Size_Small_Medium_Large.pdf)
Conclusion
Your baby’s fascination with tiny objects is a natural and healthy part of their development! By using the pincer grip to pick up small things, they’re not only practicing fine motor skills but also building sensory awareness and attention to detail. Although babies develop in different times, typically, this skill is developed from nine months. So, if they’re enchanted by tiny treasures, embrace it and use it as an opportunity for some playful learning! Let’s keep those little hands busy and learning!
Action Point
Which activity will you try with your little explorer? Share how it went – did they enjoy it?
Reference
The Kavanaugh report. Toddlers and Tiny Objects. December 8, 2021. Accessed on 30 October 2024. Available at: https://www.thekavanaughreport.com/2021/12/toddlers-and-tiny-objects.html
The Montessori Room. Why Toddlers are Obsessed with Small Objects. Accessed on 30 October 2024. Available at: https://themontessoriroom.com/blogs/montessori-tips/why-toddlers-are-obsessed-with-small-objects?srsltid=AfmBOoo3SUOJiROvUZ_bAHExrhiV2qskCFoGKLW7cmwMb-os6DJkv92U