KIDSToddler scribbling reflects real cognitive development
Is this true? Make your call, then see what the science says.
Short answer: It depends. The evidence is mixed.
Scribbling does change as children grow, and researchers use drawings to track development. But the studies are descriptive. They don't show that a toddler's scribbles measure thinking skills or boost them.
AI-generated summary of the research cited · not reviewed by a medical professional · checked 14 October 2026 · How we checkWhat the research found
Two 2022 studies found that drawing changes with age. One analysed two groups of children (65 and 344) and found age shaped how efficient, varied and ordered their marks were. It could tell child scribbles from adult scribbles. The other found scribbling fell and completing a picture rose as children got older.
A 2026 paper argues drawing may help children coordinate eyes and hands, as each stroke gives feedback. This is a proposal built on models, not a tested result. A 2025 review makes a similar point about play, including scribbling. It says most evidence that play fuels attention and memory is correlational, and experiments are needed.
Neither drawing study tested whether scribbling predicts later thinking skills in toddlers. Scribbling clearly reflects growing motor and perceptual skills. How much it reflects thinking in particular is less clear.
What it doesn’t mean
- Scribbling at a given age is not a test of intelligence or readiness. Children vary a lot, and one child's scribbles tell you little by themselves.
- Australian guidance lists painting and craft as good quiet activities for babies and toddlers, so offering crayons and paper is worthwhile. That is a recommendation about activities, not proof that scribbling builds thinking.
- If you are worried about your child's hand skills, speech or play, talk to a GP or child health nurse rather than relying on their drawings.
Sources
General information only, not medical advice. KIDS fact-checks are generated by AI from published research and are not reviewed by doctors or other health professionals. They can be wrong or out of date. Always talk to your GP or child’s doctor about your child, and call 000 in an emergency. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
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