When does the pincer grasp usually develop?

• A. 3–4 months
• B. 6–8 months
• C. 9–12 months
• D. 12–15 months

Answer: (C)

The pincer grasp is the ability to pick up small objects by pinching them between the thumb and index finger, reflecting the development of fine motor control and hand-eye coordination. It typically appears between 9 and 12 months as the thumb becomes more dexterous and can oppose the index finger. Before this, infants use a palmar grasp (around 3–4 months) and then a crude or inferior pincer (around 6–8 months). By about a year, the grasp often refines toward a neat tip-to-tip pinch. This progression is a normal part of motor development, and not seeing a pincer grasp by late infancy may prompt further evaluation.