Hands (fine motor)
Stacking and scribbling
Many babies — 15–24 months
Stacking a few blocks and making first marks with a crayon.
What’s happening
Stacking a few blocks and making first crayon marks both show growing hand control and an early grasp of cause and effect — 'I did that.' Scribbling starts as random arm-driven marks and only gradually becomes more controlled; a purposeful circle or line is a later, separate skill.
How to support it
- Start with two or three big, easy-to-grip blocks before expecting a tall tower.
- Chunky crayons and big paper let early scribbles feel like a real win, no fine control needed yet.
- Narrate what you see without correcting it — 'big swoopy lines!' matters more than what it looks like.
Worth knowing
- Crayons and small blocks are still a mouthing risk for a toddler who also has a younger sibling around — keep art supplies picked up between sessions.
When to ask your pediatrician
Scribbling is one of the CDC's checkpoints for 18 months. If your toddler shows no interest in holding a crayon or making marks, or can't stack even two blocks, by around 18-24 months, mention it at their next visit.
Often comes after pincer grasp
Where this comes from
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