Scribble-marks

Children's early marks often include intentionally made scribble-marks and dots.

• The term ‘scribbles’ is largely used by adults as a derogatory term, suggesting that the person making them, shows lack of care or interest. 

• We identified scribble-marks (and sometimes multiple dots) as one of the earliest means children use to communicate their mathematical thinking.

• We use the term “scribble-marks” to refer to marks that adults would find difficult to interpret without the child’s verbal explanation.

• Within their pretend play, children often use scribble-marks as “shorthand” for writing, seemingly so that the course of their play is not interrupted.

Scribble-marks are the foundations of drawing, writing and mathematical notations.

Click here to see examples of scribble-marks and dots.