At which developmental stage do children begin to draw shapes like circles and squares?

Children begin to draw shapes like circles and squares during the preschool stage of development, typically around the ages of 3 to 5 years old. This is a significant milestone in their cognitive and motor skill development, as they are transitioning from basic scribbling to more defined shapes. During this period, children are exploring their creativity and developing their fine motor skills, which allows them to gain better control over their writing and drawing tools. Creating shapes is also an important step in learning about art concepts and geometric understanding, fostering spatial awareness that will be built upon in later stages of development.

In contrast, during infancy, children mainly engage in random movements and do not have the control or cognitive ability to create distinct shapes. The school age is characterized by more advanced drawing skills and a deeper understanding of perspective and representation, while adolescence focuses on more sophisticated artistic expression and personal style, well beyond simple shapes.