Which of the following is a 4-year fine motor milestone related to pencil grasp?

• A. Grasps pencil with thumb and fingers instead of fist
• B. Draws a simple cross
• C. Unbuttons and buttons medium-sized buttons
• D. Draws a person with at least 3 body parts

Answer: (A)

At about four years, the hand gains more refined control for writing, shown by holding the pencil with the thumb and fingers rather than a closed fist. This shift from a fist-like grasp to a more precise grip enables smoother, controlled strokes and sets the stage for legible writing and drawing. The other options describe what the child can draw or manipulate (like drawing lines or buttons) but don’t reflect how the pencil is held, which is the key part of this 4-year fine motor milestone.