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Other new developments: Starting to scribble

• You’ll probably be fascinated to see your baby’s early attempts at writing at around 12 or 13 months of age.
• His fine motor skills will have now developed to the point where he’s ready to grab a crayon and use it.
• They won’t look very much like letters or words, but all these scribbles and line drawings are helping him to get ready for his ABC’s.
• Eventually, somewhere between his second and fifth birthday he’ll get better and better at this skill until he’s able to write his own name.
• At around 16 months you’ll probably have a fridge full of scribbled masterpieces.
• Supply plenty of encouragement and materials for his new found venture.
• Crayons, paper and colouring books are great for now, but wait for the pens and pencils until he’s a bit older.
• Make sure the materials you choose are washable, and expect a few of them to be occasionally digested by your inquisitive child.
• If your child hasn’t started any attempts at scribbling by the age of 15 or 16 months old, bring it up the next time you see the doctor.
• Remember that a child born prematurely will reach this milestone in development later than babies who went to full term.