My Toddler Isn't Scribbling with Crayons
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Scribbling with a crayon typically develops between 12-18 months. Many toddlers need to be shown how and given opportunities to practice. If your toddler shows no interest in making marks by 18 months or cannot hold a crayon at all, mention it to your pediatrician. Some children simply need more exposure and encouragement.
Key takeaways
- Scribbling with a crayon typically develops between 12-18 months. Many toddlers need to be shown how and given opportunities to practice. If your toddler shows no interest in making marks by 18 months or cannot hold a crayon at all, mention it to your pediatrician. Some children simply need more exposure and encouragement.
- Usually normal when: Your toddler is under 15 months and has not had much crayon exposure.
- Call your doctor if: Your child has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, scribbling with a crayon typically develops between 12-18 months. Many toddlers need to be shown how and given opportunities to practice. If your toddler shows no interest in making marks by 18 months or cannot hold a crayon at all, mention it to your pediatrician. Some children simply need more exposure and encouragement. At 10-14 months, some toddlers begin scribbling at this age, but many have not been introduced to crayons yet. If you offer a large crayon, your toddler may bang it, mouth it, or make accidental marks. Any mark-making at this age is a great start. It is generally considered normal when your toddler is under 15 months and has not had much crayon exposure. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
10-14 months
Some toddlers begin scribbling at this age, but many have not been introduced to crayons yet. If you offer a large crayon, your toddler may bang it, mouth it, or make accidental marks. Any mark-making at this age is a great start.
14-18 months
Most toddlers can make spontaneous scribble marks with a crayon by 15-18 months. The marks will be random lines and dots. If your toddler can hold a crayon but shows no interest in making marks, try drawing together and modeling. If they cannot hold a crayon at all, mention it to your pediatrician.
18-24 months
Scribbling should be well established. Your toddler should be able to make marks on paper with some control. If your child cannot scribble at all by 18 months, an occupational therapy evaluation may be helpful to assess grip and fine motor skills.
2-3 years
Scribbling becomes more purposeful, with imitation of lines and circles emerging around age 2-3. If your child is still not scribbling at all, evaluation of fine motor skills is recommended.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 18 months and shows no ability to scribble.
- Mention if your child cannot hold a crayon or other writing tool.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your toddler is under 15 months and has not had much crayon exposure.
- Your toddler makes some marks but prefers other activities.
- Your toddler holds the crayon in a fist grip, which is age-appropriate.
- Scribbling is emerging and improving with practice.
- Your child is over 18 months and shows no ability to scribble.
- Your child cannot hold a crayon or other writing tool.
- Your child has difficulty with other fine motor tasks.
- Your child has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
- Your child's hand function is declining.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your toddler is under 15 months and has not had much crayon exposure — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 10-14 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
Related Conditions
My Baby Has Overall Fine Motor Delays
Fine motor skills develop gradually from grasping rattles to using a pincer grip to scribbling and stacking. If your child seems behind in multiple fine motor areas, an occupational therapy evaluation can identify specific areas to work on. Many fine motor delays respond very well to targeted therapy and practice.
My Toddler Has an Immature Pencil Grip
A fist grip on crayons is completely normal for toddlers. Grip patterns develop in stages from a full fist grip (12-18 months) to a digital pronate grip (2-3 years) to a mature tripod grip (4-6 years). There is no need to correct your toddler's grip - it will naturally mature with practice and development.
My Baby's Fine Motor Skills Seem Delayed
Fine motor skills, the small, precise movements of the hands and fingers, develop gradually throughout the first two years. Babies develop at different rates, and being a bit behind on one fine motor skill does not necessarily indicate a problem. However, if your baby seems significantly behind across multiple fine motor milestones, an occupational therapy evaluation can identify areas for support and help your child catch up.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons normal?
When should I call the doctor about my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons?
When is my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons normal?
What causes my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons?
Is my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons normal at 10-14 months?
Is my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons normal at 14-18 months?
Should I go to the ER for my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons?
Does my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Isn't Scribbling with Crayons.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 18 months and shows no ability to scribble.
- Mention if your child cannot hold a crayon or other writing tool.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your child is over 18 months and shows no ability to scribble.
- Your child cannot hold a crayon or other writing tool.
- Your child has difficulty with other fine motor tasks.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
- Your child's hand function is declining.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of my toddler isn't scribbling with crayons are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has lost the ability to hold objects or use their hands.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Has Overall Fine Motor Delays
Fine motor skills develop gradually from grasping rattles to using a pincer grip to scribbling and stacking. If your child seems behind in multiple fine motor areas, an occupational therapy evaluation can identify specific areas to work on. Many fine motor delays respond very well to targeted therapy and practice.
My Toddler Has an Immature Pencil Grip
A fist grip on crayons is completely normal for toddlers. Grip patterns develop in stages from a full fist grip (12-18 months) to a digital pronate grip (2-3 years) to a mature tripod grip (4-6 years). There is no need to correct your toddler's grip - it will naturally mature with practice and development.
My Baby's Fine Motor Skills Seem Delayed
Fine motor skills, the small, precise movements of the hands and fingers, develop gradually throughout the first two years. Babies develop at different rates, and being a bit behind on one fine motor skill does not necessarily indicate a problem. However, if your baby seems significantly behind across multiple fine motor milestones, an occupational therapy evaluation can identify areas for support and help your child catch up.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.