Scribbling and Drawing Milestones for 18-36 Months Kids

Early drawings by a toddler (age-15-18 months)are often described as 'scribbles’. Scribbling is a fun and dynamic way for children to learn and develop high order skills like writing and painting.

3. ●Scribbling is the basic foundation
of a child’s later drawing skills.
●Scribbling and Drawing are the
basic skills that gradually
transform into high order skills
such as writing and painting.
●For a toddler to draw or scribble
on a piece of paper, fairly mature
motor skills are required.
●Executive functioning skills also
contribute to writing proficiency.

4. ●A child usually starts scribbling
by the age of 15-18 months.
●By this age, they are able to sit
upright and hold objects with
their fist (not fingers).
●This is the apt time to
introduce them to scribbling

6. ●By this age, kids are able to
hold objects with their fist (not
fingers).
●They figure out the link
between holding a crayon and
striking it on paper to leave a
mark.
●It is the stage where we can
make initial observations on
our child’s tendency to be
right-handed or left.

8. ●They enjoy feedback from their
senses while scribbling or drawing.

●They do not perceive any meaning
in their own artwork. Nor is artwork
a mode of communication at this
stage.

●They are aware of few shapes and
can draw open circles, zig-zag
lines and curves.

10. ●This is an important phase in the
development of drawing and
writing.

●By this stage, there will be a
transition from fist grip to that of the
thumb and index finger.

●The latter half of the third year is
a transition phase from scribbling to
writing and drawing.

●Their drawings begin to get more
organized in this stage.

11. Milestones
Holds objects with its
fist (not fingers)

There will be some random
open circles, zig-zag,
scribbles and curves
The drawings get
more organized.
15-18 Months 18-24 Months 24- 36 Months
This is a transition phase
from scribbling to drawing

12. ●It develops hand-eye
coordination in a child.
●Drawing has also been
linked to enhanced writing
and speaking skills.
●It improves finger dexterity
of a child and fine motor
skills.
●Helps in the development
of executive functioning
skills.
The Importance of Drawing in Early Childhood

13. Note for Parents
Do’s :
●Sit, watch and listen to your kid.
●Provide them controlled freedom.
●Encourage them and provide positive
feedback.
●Provide the right drawing tools and
be engaged during the activity.

14. Note for Parents
Dont’s:
●Negative feedback: It may cause
your child to lose interest in
drawing.
●Comparison with peers: This may lead
to a loss of creativity.
●Be patient and have realistic
expectations, because “Rome was not built in a day!”

15. “Drawing and
scribbling are the
first steps to
painting and
writing.”

16. Thanks!
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Also read more about scribbling
and drawing milestones here.