Which fine motor ability should a child develop by 6 months?

• A. Whole hand grasp; transfer objects
• B. Whole hand reach
• C. Rolling over
• D. Walking

Answer: (A)

By 6 months of age, a child's fine motor skills typically include the ability to use a whole hand grasp and transfer objects from one hand to the other. This milestone signifies the development of hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity, which are crucial for more complex manipulation of objects later on.

The ability to grasp with the whole hand demonstrates that the child is becoming more adept at interacting with their environment. They start to explore objects by reaching for and holding them, as well as manipulating them by transferring items between hands. This skill is a foundational aspect of fine motor development, allowing for more sophisticated tasks as the child grows.

Other options, such as rolling over, while important motor milestones, fall under gross motor skills rather than fine motor skills. Similarly, walking is a gross motor milestone that is usually achieved much later, typically around 12 months or more. Whole hand reach is related but does not fully encompass the motor skill of transferring objects, which is indicative of greater motor development.