what age would you start to be concerned that a child is not drawing/making marks

[woahthere]

I look after a 2 1/2 year old, he has always been very submissive child, he is physically quite capable regarding running, jumping, climbing etc, but I just cannot get him to grip a pencil/pen/crayon/paintbrush properly. If I give him something to draw with its as if there is no rigidity to his hands, they are just totally floppy. Ive tried to get him to snip, but he doesnt seem to be able to close the scissors to make them snap. same with feeding himself, he has totally floppy hands, if he is feeding himself a yoghurt or something he will just lightly push the spoon against the pot and not hold the pot at the same time so the pot just moves along the table and he will only get out as much yoghurt as his spoon has dipped in, he wouldnt for instance be able to scrape it out. I am starting to get frustrated as I dont know what to do to encourage him or build strength in his fingers, he is very unwilling to try. Doing his learning journey and when it comes to mark making etc he is still a birth - 11 month old. I tried telling the parents to encourage him to do more of these kind of things at home but they say he is just lazy. Ive tried getting him to snap spaghetti as an alternative but he just puts his hands by his side. Ive tried doing baking, stirring but again he wont really stir it. He wont do any form of messy play, even if its clean messy play iykwim, eg foam play, paint in bags etc. Im really struggling to find activities that can extend his cll and prrn. Does anyone have any good advice or general knowledge about children that are like this. Or am I expecting too much? Its just that my children and other children that I look after I know could definately do this kind of thing at this age, he cant push sticklebricks together or duplo or trio or anything and its such a shame.

I am no expert here but the running, jumping etc = gross motor skills and the pushing, holding etc = fine motor skills.

The things you list I would expect an 18 month to be doing let alone a 2.5 year old?

It may well be fine but it seems odd that you have given him so many different opportunities which he hasnt taken. If he just wasnt interested in drawing that would be one thing...but breaking spaghetti, lego blocks etc seems a bit strange?

Do the parents have any other children?

whoathere, I have exactly the same problem with one of mine - except he is behind in all areas. I understand your frustrations because I have days where I can't even get him to pick toys up let alone 'play' with them. He wont even touch playdoh or anything messy. I struggle to get observations out of him - because he does nothing! I use the tracker books and, like you LO mine is still not doing some things that babies and toddlers should be doing. Dont want to say too much on here, but if you CAT me, I'll inbox you.

There is a really good publication called mark making matters( I think) I got it free of the school website/government website or you may be able to get one at your children centre. I seem to remember it saying about building up the shoulder muscles first with big arm movements using things like sqeezy bottles with water in to make marks on walls and paths etc. Lots of waving ribbons on sticks/writing in the air, that sort of thing.
Has anyone mentioned hypermobility? i'm no expert but its worth considering.

I would concentrate on the gross motor skills though, you need to build on the things he does enjoy. Have you tried putting paint inbetween plastic or bubblewrap to encorage messy play.

Don't focus on building strength in the fingers, from memory( so admit a bit dodgy) i'm sure you need to focus on further up the body.