By 9 months, what fine motor skill should an infant have developed?

At nine months of age, infants typically develop the ability to perform a crude pincer grasp, which involves using the thumb and index finger to manipulate objects. This developmental milestone indicates that the infant is beginning to refine their fine motor skills, transitioning from grasping larger items to more precise movements. This pincer grasp allows them to pick up smaller objects, which is crucial for exploring their environment and developing further hand-eye coordination.

This development reflects the normal progression of fine motor skills in infants, showcasing their growing independence and ability to interact with objects in more sophisticated ways. Mastery of a crude pincer grasp is an important step in an infant's ability to self-feed and engage in play.