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The stage of artistic development that involves uncontrolled scribbles is known as the Scribble Stage. This stage typically occurs in children between the ages of 15 months to about 3 years. During this time, children engage in free-form marking, which can appear chaotic and lacks representational intent. The focus during the Scribble Stage is on the physical act of creating rather than on conveying specific images or ideas. Children are exploring their motor skills, experimenting with materials, and expressing themselves through movement rather than focused representation.

At this point in their development, children are learning to control their movements and enjoy the sensory experience of drawing. These scribbles can be viewed as a precursor to later, more controlled artistic expression as children's cognitive and motor skills evolve.