Puts block in a cup
Typical Timing & Development Window
Visual Timeline & Milestone Benchmarks
What these numbers mean
The average age babies first begin showing early signs of this skill. Before this, it's simply too early — there's nothing to worry about.
The midpoint age: half of babies have reached this milestone by here, half a little later. It's a typical target, not a deadline.
How spread out the timing is. About two-thirds of babies achieve it within one standard deviation of the median (the shaded band, wk 44–52). Wide bands mean a normal range of variation.
A gentle check-in point. If your baby hasn't shown this by around here, it can be worth mentioning to your pediatrician — most often it's still perfectly fine, just later.
About this milestone
The toddler purposefully drops small blocks, toys, or balls into a cup, basket, or container. This activity requires fine-motor release, hand-eye coordination, and spatial reasoning. It shows they are beginning to explore physical relationships like containment and gravity.
- 1. Model the action by dropping a block inside and making a fun sound ('Plop!'), then encourage them to try.
- 2. Celebrate when they successfully drop a toy inside, encouraging them to fill the container and then dump it out.
- 3. Practice sorting safe household items, like dropping plastic measuring spoons into a larger bowl.
- 1. Avoid giving small objects that could be swallowed during dropping practice.