The ability to make small, precise movements with hands and fingers. As fine motor skills develop, babies can pick up smaller and smaller objects, including tiny choking hazards like coins, buttons, and pebbles. A 9-month-old's pincer grasp is surprisingly effective at finding things you didn't know were on the floor.
Related Terms
Any small object, food, or toy part that can block a child's airway. Kids under 3 are at the highest risk because they explore everything by putting it in their mouths. A quick rule of thumb: if it fits through a toilet paper roll, it's a choking hazard.
Babies explore everything by putting it in their mouths. This starts around 4 months and can last well into the toddler years. It's developmentally normal and important for learning, but it's also why keeping small objects and toxic substances out of reach is so critical.
Skills and abilities that most children reach by certain ages, like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking. Each milestone creates new safety considerations. Pediatricians track them at well-child visits, and the CDC has a milestone tracker app for parents.