Help with Fine Motor Skills

My 1yr old boy is having problems with his fine motor skills.

I know its not something to panic about but naturally im concerned. He is 13months tomorrow and while he can walk GREAT and has since he was 10months old and other areas he is advanced, in his fine motor skills he is a bit slow and i wanna know if anyone else is finding this and has advice or has found things to help.

He doesnt feed himself, never puts anything in his mouth, he can hold a cup and the food but wont do it himself.. he doesnt clap or copy anything i do.. he spoke about 3 months ago for about 2 weeks saying mumma but now nothing...

I think alot of it is lazyness but i want to get him out of this... im starting to go to Gymbaroo to see if i can get some help there but im hoping there are some things i can do at home.. maybe there is a dvd or a book i can read with suggestions.. i HATE surfing the net for these kind of things, what i have found is nothing great...

playing with playdough?

Have you raised your concerns with your child health nurse or doctor?
Kids all develop at different rates - sometimes that means gross motor skills come first over fine ones or vice versa. The same goes for speaking. Assuming there isn't anything actually wrong, I don't think there's much you can do aside from standing back and letting him get to work (playing I mean).

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Have you raised your concerns with your child health nurse or doctor?
Kids all develop at different rates - sometimes that means gross motor skills come first over fine ones or vice versa. The same goes for speaking. Assuming there isn't anything actually wrong, I don't think there's much you can do aside from standing back and letting him get to work (playing I mean).

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Yeah i mentioned it to my family health nurse when i called to make an appointment but she cant see my till the end of September... i have just noticed that compared to alot of kids his age he is quite behind.

BUT, he's very advanced with his gross motor skills, isn't he? I'm no expert, which is why I suggested talking to your nurse, but it sounds fine to me.
Probably the mothers of those other kids you mention worry that their kids are slow compared to your DS.

Anyway, sorry I can't actually offer any answers to your original question.

I agree, all kids develop different areas at different speeds, and he sounds fine but if you are still concerned you can ask your nurse to refer your son to an OT, although he may be too young ( i am an OT but haven't worked with paeds). Encourage him to play with things that develop his upper limb and hand muscles (drawing on blackboards, playdough, etc) and I'm sure it'll all happen in time. I find they seem to have "clusters" where they suddenly pick up on and consolidate a lot of skills all at once...then nothing much happens for a while.

BTW: I have a 4.5 yr old who I basically have to bribe to get him to draw - he just IS NOT interested at all!! But talked from very early age. And I have a 23 month old who doesn't have all that many words but loves to draw!! They can vary alot and still be within "normal" limits.

Try not to worry I'm sure he's fine!! :)

I think he is too young for playdough or painting. How does he go with picking up chopped up finger foods? This can be a great, motivating way for him to use his fingers and hands. You might need to find somthing really special that he wants to pick up to eat if he is reluctant to do this. Experimenting with different textures of food can be helpful as well (eg. toast, cheese, fruit). How does he go picking up and manipulating age appropriate toys - rattles, teething toys, rings. Will he play with a spoon while he eats (banging it on the table for example?). Have you physically shown him how to clap hands? Wave bye, bye? Sometimes they just need more encouragement even if there is nothing wrong. Oh, you mention talking that has now gone - does he babble to himself, smile responsively to you/others, respond to peek-a-boo ect?