International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What milestone in fine motor development is typically reached by children aged 1-2 years?

1. Scribbles spontaneously

2. Transfers objects between hands

3. Uses a pincer grasp

4. Building a tower of 2 blocks

The correct answer is: Scribbles spontaneously

The milestone of spontaneous scribbling is a significant marker in the fine motor development of children aged 1-2 years. During this period, children demonstrate increasing control over their hand movements and begin to explore their environment through imaginative expression. Spontaneous scribbling indicates not only a physical ability to grip and move the writing instrument but also cognitive engagement, as children start to understand that their actions can produce visual artifacts. Scribbling also serves as a foundational skill for more complex drawing and writing that will develop later on. It reflects a child's growing desire for self-expression and the rehearsal of hand-eye coordination. Mastering this skill typically occurs between the ages of 15 months to 2 years, making it an appropriate milestone for this age group. Other choices like transferring objects, using a pincer grasp, or building a tower of blocks are important developmental milestones, but scribbling uniquely encapsulates the combination of motor skills, cognitive understanding, and creative expression characteristic of children in this age range.