Fine Motor & Visual-Motor Development

Helping children build strong hands, coordinated eyes–hands, and everyday independence

At Daviess Community Hospital’s CORE Center, pediatric occupational therapists help infants, toddlers, and children develop the fine motor and visual-motor skills they need for everyday life—grasping toys, using utensils, buttoning, drawing, cutting, handwriting, and school participation. Care is play-based, family-centered, and available in Washington and Odon, Indiana. Early support can make progress faster and everyday routines easier for your child and family.

Who may benefit

Pediatric OT can help if your child has difficulty with:

• Grasping toys or holding crayons, markers, or utensils
• Hand strength, finger dexterity, or in-hand manipulation
• Using both hands together (bilateral coordination) for tasks like zipping, buttoning, tying
• Visual-motor integration (copying shapes, drawing, tracing, cutting on a line)
• Hand–eye coordination for play and classroom tasks
• Pre-writing and handwriting legibility, spacing, and endurance
• Self-care tasks (dressing, grooming, mealtime tools) due to fine motor delays
• Sensory processing differences that affect fine motor participation

If simple tasks feel hard—or if your child avoids fine motor activities due to frustration—an evaluation can help you understand where to start.

Milestones at a glance (fine motor & visual-motor)

Every child develops at a different pace. These guides help you know what to watch for.

0–6 months

• Tracks a toy side-to-side while on back
• Looks at hands; brings hands to midline; touches fingers together
• Reaches straight arm toward a toy; grasps and holds briefly

If you’re concerned: Ask your pediatrician for a referral or call (812) 254-8889 to discuss a screening.

6–12 months

• Picks up and holds two toys; bangs a cup on a table
• Points/pokes; claps; releases a toy into a caregiver’s hand
• Places several small toys into a container; removes socks

If you’re concerned: Limited grasp/release, little interest in exploring with hands, or difficulty bringing items to midline may warrant an OT evaluation.

1–2 years

• Turns book pages one at a time
• Stacks 2–4 blocks
• Places two shapes into a shape sorter
• Makes a vertical line with a crayon (early tripod/fisted-to-thumb-and-finger grasp)

If you’re concerned: Trouble stacking, limited crayon use, or difficulty with early self-care tools suggests your child may benefit from OT.

2–3 years

• Stacks 8–10 blocks
• Draws a circle; imitates simple block designs
• Snips paper with scissors

If you’re concerned: Avoiding crayons/scissors, fatigue with table tasks, or frustration copying simple shapes may indicate a treatable delay.

3–4 years

• Cuts paper into two pieces; traces horizontal lines
• Draws a cross; laces a few holes
• Unbuttons 3 buttons; uses thumb and index finger to hold a writing tool

If you’re concerned: Difficulty with buttons, cutting along a line, or copying simple shapes is a good reason to schedule an evaluation.

How CORE helps

• Grasp and hand function for crayons, markers, utensils, and tools
• Bilateral coordination (using both hands together) and in-hand manipulation
• Visual-motor integration and hand–eye coordination for drawing, cutting, and classroom tasks
• Pre-writing and handwriting readiness (strokes, shapes, spacing, endurance)
• Self-care independence (buttons, zippers, fasteners, grooming tools)
• Sensory processing strategies that support attention and fine motor participation
• Family coaching with simple, practical home activities

Therapy is engaging and play-based, using games and purposeful activities to build skills, confidence, and participation in daily routines.

What to expect

Evaluation

Your OT will review development and daily routines, observe fine motor, visual-motor, bilateral coordination, and self-care skills, and discuss goals that matter at home and school.

Personalized plan

Together, you’ll set realistic goals and a visit schedule. Sessions focus on targeted skill-building in clinic, simple home activities that fit your routine, and strategies for real-life tasks (dressing, mealtime tools, schoolwork, play).

Progress you can see

We track outcomes, update goals, and coordinate with your pediatrician, school team, and other therapists to support carryover across settings.

Locations and scheduling

• CORE Center – 421 E. Van Trees Street, Washington, IN
• CORE Center at North Daviess – 800 S. West Street, Odon, IN

Call (812) 254-8889 to schedule a pediatric OT evaluation or ask about referral needs.
Many insurers require a physician referral—our team can help you determine next steps.

FAQs

Will my child “catch up” without therapy?
Some children do; others need targeted support. Early intervention can speed progress and reduce frustration.

How long does therapy take?
It varies by child and goals. Your OT will outline a plan and timeline after evaluation.

Do you coordinate with schools?
Yes—with your permission, we collaborate with teachers and school teams to support classroom participation and handwriting goals.