Small Muscle Movement and Dexterity

I'm a Kitchen Ninja! Ways to Get Your Child Involved with Preparing Food

By the age of four, your child is beginning to show a lot of independence in the kitchen. Under your supervision, and with a small butter knife or spreader, your child can cut simple, soft items like hard-boiled eggs, bananas, watermelon, strawberries, and cheese. He can also spread his own peanut butter on a cracker or softened butter on toast. Does he love tangerines or bananas? Don't be surprised if he figures out how to peel them on his own! The more you let him do, the more independent he'll feel, and the more he'll want to help.

Has your child achieved the following Small Muscle Movement and Dexterity developmental milestones yet? If yes, check off all of the skill(s) he has already mastered to date.