Tiny Hands, Big Progress: Why Your Baby’s Grabby Phase Is a Good Thing
One minute you’re enjoying a peaceful cuddle, the next your baby’s got a fistful of your hair, one sock in their mouth, and your toast halfway to the floor. You pause, mid-bite, wondering: why is my baby grabbing everything in sight?
Welcome to the grabby phase—and trust us, it’s a brilliant sign of progress.
This stage of baby fine motor skills development is all about exploring the world through touch. Every scrunch of paper, every enthusiastic squeeze of mashed banana, and every accidental eye poke is actually your baby learning how to move their hands with purpose.
Why Is My Baby Grabbing Everything?
Great question—and the answer is: because they’re learning. Grabbing, swiping, pinching, and squeezing are all signs of growing fine motor skills. These tiny, precise movements are what your baby will eventually use to feed themselves, hold a pencil, do up buttons—and yes, turn the pages of their favourite books.
Right now, it might just look like flailing or grabbing at random, but that swipe toward your cup? It’s practice. That clenched fist around your necklace? That’s strength-building. That adorable pincer grip on a raisin? That’s coordination.
We see this progress all the time in our Adventure Babies classes. One week, a baby might just gaze at a sensory object; the next, they’re reaching, grasping, and exploring with purpose. And every one of those moments matters.
It’s More Than Just a Phase
This isn’t just a messy milestone—it’s brain development in action. Touch is one of your baby’s most powerful tools for understanding the world. By grabbing different textures, shapes, and weights, their brain is forming the connections needed for movement, language, and learning.
So if you’re still wondering why is my baby grabbing everything with such relentless enthusiasm—it’s because this is how they grow.
What You Can Do at Home
You don’t need fancy toys to support your baby’s fine motor skills—just a bit of time and a few safe objects to explore:
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Offer sensory variety – fabric scraps, crinkly paper, silicone baking brushes, wooden spoons
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Let them reach – during tummy time or in your lap, move objects just out of reach
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Talk it through – “That’s your sock! So soft!” builds language and connection
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Embrace the mess – yoghurt on the wall = hardworking hands and developing brains
Let Us Do the Prep
At Adventure Babies, our stories and sensory setups are designed with milestones like these in mind. From reaching for floating bubbles to squeezing soft puppets or grasping textured objects, every activity supports fine motor development—while also sparking imagination.
So the next time your baby lunges for your snack or attempts to “help” turn the pages (aka crumple them), take a breath. That’s learning. That’s growth. That’s exactly what they’re meant to be doing.
Tiny hands. Big progress.
Want to support your baby’s fine motor development and enjoy a storytime like no other?
Find a class near you and come see those grabby little hands in action!
