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At what age do children scribble?

Published in Child Development 1 min read

Children typically begin to scribble between 12 and 18 months of age.

While babies may experiment with holding crayons or markers and making marks before this age, true scribbling, involving purposeful and intentional marks on paper, generally emerges within this timeframe. Initially, these scribbles might appear as random lines and shapes.

Development of Scribbling

  • 12-18 Months: Babies start imitating scribbling and begin to make purposeful marks. This distinguishes their actions from simply banging the crayon on the paper.

  • Progression: As fine motor skills develop, scribbles become more controlled and may start resembling basic shapes.

It's important to note that every child develops at their own pace. Some children might begin scribbling slightly earlier or later than the typical range. Providing opportunities for creative expression and exploration with art materials encourages this developmental milestone.