How to teach preschool writing
Preschool writing develops along a continuum. First, children discover that they can make a mark on paper. This is fun! Then they notice that others around them write differently. They begin making letter-like formations and real letters. As they gain phonological awareness, they begin to use inventive spelling. Through all of this, they come to understand that writing is for communication.
Developmental Stages
What is important
- Scribbling
- Pretend writing
- Letter-like formations
- Writing real letters
How to help children develop these concepts and skills
- Provide lots of different writing materials for pretend play.
- Watch the child's development in this area. Model the next stage up. For example, if a child is pretend writing, model writing letters or letter-like formations.
At the preschool writing stage, children really begin to look at print. They try to model the writing that they see. This usually comes out mock letters that look like squiggles and lines.
As they start to really notice letters they begin “drawing” letters.
At the preschool writing stage as children learn letters and sounds, they begin applying that knowledge to their writing. They may write the first letter of a word to represent the whole word.
Inventive Spelling
What is important
- Beginning letter represents the whole word
- Beginning and ending sounds
- Several sounds to represent a word (including some middle sounds and some blends)
How to help children develop these concepts and skills
- Watch the child's development and model the next stage up.
- Point things out in books that correspond with the stage the child is at. For example, point out beginning sounds of words when the child is learning to write beginning sounds in inventive spelling.
- Always be positive about attempts to write and attempts to spell. Don't criticize or say that it isn't the way that word is spelled.
- Help the child stretch out words in order to hear the sounds more easily.
Purpose of Writing
What is important
- Writing is for communication.
- I (the child) can write something that others can read.
How to help children develop these concepts and skills
- Compliment the child on any attempts to write, even pretend writing.
- Display writing attempts for others to see.
- 'Read' pretend writing with the child. Sometimes the child will want to read it. If so, let him or her do it.
Forms of Writing
What is important
- List
- Story
- Letter
- Poem
How to help children develop these concepts and skills
- Provide lots of materials for writing.
- Model and include the child in writing activities throughout the day.
To see all of the skills in the experimental reading and writing stage, click on the links below
Letters and Sounds
Sight Words
Vocabulary and Oral Language
Concepts About Print
Phonological Awareness
