CECE Physical Development & Motor Skills 2

Question 1

The pincer grasp — using the thumb and forefinger to pick up small objects — typically emerges around:

Accepted Answer

9–12 months

Answer

The pincer grasp develops around 9–12 months as the nervous system matures enough to coordinate independent finger movements.

Question 2

Which activity MOST effectively supports fine motor development in preschool-aged children?

Accepted Answer

Manipulating playdough

Answer

Playdough manipulation strengthens hand muscles and develops finger dexterity, both of which are foundational for writing and other fine motor tasks.

Question 3

Hand dominance — a consistent preference for using one hand — is typically established by:

Accepted Answer

4–6 years

Answer

Most children establish a clear hand preference between ages 4 and 6; before this, some hand switching is developmentally normal.

Question 4

A typical fine motor milestone for a 3-year-old is:

Accepted Answer

Cutting along a straight line with scissors

Answer

By age 3, most children can use child-safe scissors to cut along a straight line, which reflects developing hand strength and bilateral coordination.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a fine motor skill?

Accepted Answer

Galloping across a room

Answer

Galloping is a gross motor locomotor skill that uses large muscle groups, while fine motor skills involve the smaller muscles of the hands and fingers.

(CECE) Certified Early Childhood Educator Practice Test

(CECE) Certified Early Childhood Educator Practice Test

CECE Physical Development & Motor Skills 2