When a thrown ball comes down haven’t you noticed your kid holding it in his hands? It happens due to eye-hand co-ordination – the controlling activities of hand in accordance with information collected through vision. If a kid can’t hold pencil when he reaches three or if his hands shiver while picking toys, it can be pre-assumed that he has some eye-hand co-ordination problem. Parents often neglect such defects in their kids. Just go through these points to know if your kid’s hands are reaching his eyes or not.

Eye-hand co-ordination in infants

• Till 2 months babies fold their tiny little fingers always. Normally he holds his thumb in between his index finger and middle finger before folding his fingers together. But if he holds his thumb inside his hands before folding, it indicates brain problems.
• During each phase of growth, kids do distinct activities according to his age. Observe him closely to know if his eye-hand co-ordination is working correctly. Just go through these points to check it easily.
• Third month: He opens his hands, tries to take things and often holds other persons’ fingers tight. Also, tries to catch and hold others’ dress. 
• Fourth month: Now he gets better grip of things and tries to catch clothes and bring to his face. Now he starts playing toys in his hands and listens to its sound.
• Fifth month: Now he takes toys with his own hands and uses both his hands equally.
• Sixth month: He places the feeding bottle correctly in his mouth and tries to bring his foot to his mouth. When you give an object or toy while he is holding another, he drops the first one to buy the second one.
• Seventh month: Now he has a tendency to put everything in mouth that he gets easily.
• Eighth month: He uses his thumb and second finger to pinch or take things in hands. Using hand, he tries to take things. As he sits well, he tries to take everything where his eyes reach. Now, he begins to eat with his hands.
• Ninth month: Playing with two toys in either hands start at this age. He will try to make sound with two objects.
• Tenth month: Now he picks up even minute things with his hands.
• Eleventh month: Now he learns to play with balls.
• One year: Now he gives back whatever we give him. Also, he knows how to use spoon for eating.
• 1.25 years: Now he uses crayons for drawing, throw balls, eat food using cup and spoon, points at things that he wants and embraces and kisses his dear ones.
• 1.5 years: Draw long vertical lines and begins to play with things. He loves collapsing objects and toys to ground and enjoys himself.
• 2 years: Now he draws horizontal lines, washes hands and turn over pages of book.
• 2.5 years: Now he holds pencil well and begins to draw circles.
• 3 years: Draws cross and circular figures.
• 4 years: Draws rectangles and figures of humans. Also, he knows to cut papers with scissors.
• 5 years: Draws triangular shapes.

How to recognize the defect?

If eye-hand co-ordination is not prefect, a kid will not be able to write using pencil or draw pictures. He may face difficulties in identifying mirror images or similar alphabets; for example ‘b’ and‘d’. Normally kids start eating with hands when he reaches 8 months. But a kid with defects will not be able to do it. He will fail in games that need concentration. If his hands shiver while he is engaged in such plays it may due to poor eye-hand co-ordination.

For parents’ notice

• Never compare your kid’s activities with other. Each kid differs in the characteristics of eye-hand co-ordination. Such comparisons may reduce his self-confidence.
• Never compel him to do things that he can’t do. Instead appreciate him if he reaches even a little bit closer.
• Give him modeling clay and teach him to make shapes using different colours.
• Close and open his hands and fly his hands in air. Ask him to repeat those plays.
• Allow your kid to play with things at home. For example, he can assist his mother in kitchen. Ask him to pick bottles for you or mix flour while making chappathi.

How to increase eye-hand co-ordination?

• If your kid is one year old, point at objects and ask him questions like “where is ball?” or “where is toy?”
• Teach him action songs and while doing so, point at his body parts and objects around him.
• Use cubes to make towers and show him once. Then collide the tower and ask him to make exactly the same tower using those building blocks. 
• If he tries to eat food using spoon encourage him to do so.
• Open your hands and fingers to either side. Ask him to repeat it.
• Point at objects and ask him to observe them. You can ask him to name those objects. 
• Hold his hands to draw pictures. Give him pictures and ask him to draw the same.
• If he has reached three, teach him colours.
• Show him picture books and try to teach him new words. Ask him to turn its pictures.
• Ask him to bring a book or toy from any corner of the room to you.
• When he reaches 3, instruct him to clean his table. Give him simple activities like cleaning his toys and arrange his toys in an orderly manner.
• Allow him to play with other kids so that he learns more through such activities.

Choose toys according to his age

If you want to ensure his eye-hand co-ordination at each phase of his growth, take care while choosing toys for him.

When he reaches 9 months, gave him small blocks to play. It helps him to lift things using thumb and second finger. But observe him carefully. He may put those things in his mouth. Avoid sharp ended toys that can make wounds. Wheel toys that can be moved using a string are most appropriate for this age. Teach him how to drag toys tied in strings towards him. Give him small pots or vessels and a small stick. Ask him to make sound in those pots using that stick. It’s a good exercise to increase eye-hand co-ordination.

When he reaches one year old give him small cups and saucers. Teach him how to pour water from one cup to another. Now kids’ picture books are available with thick pages. Give him such books and ask him to turn its pages one by one. He may use both his hands for doing this activity. Don’t worry. Instead encourage him.

Give crayons and paper to your kids when he reaches two. When he reaches three, you can give him colouring book, modeling clay etc. When he learns colouring, instruct him to colour inside outline. Clay modeling is a good technique to increase his creativity, brain development and eye-hand co-ordination.

In shape sorters and sockets, ask him to put objects of correct shapes. But give him simple shapes when he is too young.

If kids can’t play well with toys he may start crying. Encourage him so that he repeats such activities again.

Easy playing toys and little difficult ones – both should be a part of his personal collection. Balls of different sizes and colours are best examples. Allow him to pick up small blocks and beads and teach him how to make bead chains. Both these activities are best to increase eye-hand co-ordination. But take extra care. Kid may place beads in his mouth, ears or nose.

While buying a new toy for him, teach him how to play with it. Do it repeatedly till he learns it well. Some kids may not like our assistance. They may want to experiment with toys their own. If so, just instruct him and allow him to do so.

Jigsaw puzzles are best for kids above three years old. Start with two or three pieces first and then gradually increase the number of pieces as he grows.

Teach him finger painting along with brush or crayon painting. He learns to use his fingers in another way. He will enjoy it well.

Left hand, right hand

Till two years old, a kid uses both his hands equally. After that, he begins to use left or right hand more. So, a kid below two, if not uses both his hands in the same way you need to check if he has some defects. If so, give balls in his less-abled hands. 

As I have told earlier, an infant holds tight his thumb inside his hand if his brain has some defects. With the help of a doctor you can give him exercises and massages to increase blood circulation to those parts.

A new born baby sees things up to 90 degrees. After two months his vision expands to 180 degrees and when he reaches 6 months, he gets good vision.

• Written by Sandhya Rani.
• In category Parenting and Child Development.
• 11 years ago.

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