At around 3 months of age, your baby can reach out and grasp an object; however, he will need more practice to learn to control the object he grasps. This ability requires additional fine motor control as well as eye hand coordination.
If you look around your house you’ll find lots of everyday things that will help your baby learn to grasp and develop his motor skills. Some examples include plastic measuring spoons or a favorite soft rattle, both because they are easy to grasp. If he has already learned to pick things up, place the objects nearby, and he will grasp them by himself. If he is still working on those skills, try placing a large spoon or the soft rattle into his hand. It’s important to be close to your baby as he is exploring these items so he doesn’t accidently poke himself with the spoons or rattle.
As your baby gets older he’ll find the kitchen to be a favorite place full of items such as plastic bowls, lids, pots and pans- all of which are easy to hold and bang. You may even want to designate a special cupboard for his new playthings. All of these activities will help him to develop the small muscles necessary for stacking, coloring and writing.