Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Health and Physical Development (HPD)

Subdomain: Motor Development

Goal: Children develop small muscle control and hand-eye coordination to manipulate objects and work with tools.

Skill Progression: Drawing

Age: 33-36 Months

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Observe the child with a piece of paper and pencil.

Make a cross and ask the child to make one on her picture.

Children’s drawing looks different than their writing. Drawing has defined and recognizable areas, with lines inside and outside of circles or lines that represent objects. Separate areas depict different aspects of the picture. Writing is connected loops or marks in a series.

Explain to parents that at this level children understand the difference between drawing and writing. Early childhood educators and parents can encourage development of both by talking about children’s drawings and asking them to add details (e.g., “Where is the grass the flower grows in?”). Adults can also assist by drawing with children to provide a model, and asking the children to label their work.