Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

What is an appropriate sign of achievement in fine motor skills for a 5-year-old child?

1. Can stack 10 blocks.

2. Can tie shoelaces.

3. Can copy a triangle.

4. Can cut out simple shapes with scissors.

The correct answer is: Can copy a triangle.

For a 5-year-old child, the ability to copy a triangle is considered an appropriate sign of achievement in fine motor skills because this task requires a higher level of precision and coordination that is typical for this age group. By the time children reach the age of 5, they are generally developing more advanced fine motor capabilities, which include not only basic manipulative skills but also more complex tasks that involve greater control and spatial awareness. Copying geometric shapes, such as a triangle, indicates that a child is not only able to hold writing instruments effectively but also has the cognitive ability to understand and replicate shapes, exhibiting skills related to both fine motor development and visual perception. Mastery of such tasks is often seen as a benchmark in early childhood development, as it helps lay the foundation for more complex skills such as writing. While stacking 10 blocks, tying shoelaces, and cutting out simple shapes are all relevant milestones in fine motor development, they may not fully encapsulate the advanced fine motor skills that would be expected from a child at this age in the same way that the ability to copy geometric shapes does. Stacking blocks demonstrates basic manipulation, tying shoelaces requires fine motor skills but typically is mastered a bit later, and cutting shapes shows dex