Supporting Emergent Writers

Many parents have been requesting ways to encourage emergent writing at home. I can assure you that you are probably already using some of these strategies at home without even realizing it! Below are a few recommended strategies to further encourage emergent writing outside of the classroom.

Home Literacy

Having print and literacy available in your home will expose your child to print and meaningful uses of writing. This does not mean that your home needs to be overflowing with books! Grocery lists, calendars, post-it notes, magazines, and environmental print are just some of the literacy examples you may have in your home. Having your child assist you in filling in the calendar or writing the grocery list will give meaning to writing and inspire them to copy the type of writing you use in the home.

Providing Writing Materials

Providing your child with paper (even scraps) and writing materials will encourage her/him to write during free time and while engaged in play activities. You may notice that little scribbled signs may be displayed in your child's block zoo or that a restaurant menu is created.

Valuing Your Child's Emergent Writing Ability

As discussed before, every child is a writer. Recognizing that scribbles, random letters, and invented spelling are all forms of writing will help you better recognize the writing stage that your child is at. Encourage your child to continue writing by recognizing that she/he is a writer and asking what she/he has written.

Be confident in the fact that you are providing your child with the tools necessary to be a successful writer!

Further Resources:
 - Developing Writing and Spelling at Home (Pre-K)
 - Launching Young Writers
 - Helping Young Children to Develop Emergent Literacy Skills (children with visual impairments) 

Every Child Is a Writer!

Did you know that your child is a competent writer, even before they can create letters on a page? Children are able to write using scribbles, letters, invented spelling, and eventually conventional spellings of words! Below are examples of the stages your child may encounter and what they have learned to move through each stage.

 Scribbles

A child writing scribbles across a page, such as the ones depicted above, is knowledgeable about written language. This child has grasped the concept that things that are written have meaning. Usually children at this stage will read their writing to you. I love to note what a child says on a sticky note to add to the back of their writing project.

Random Letters

This child has added random letters to his scribble pattern. In this image you can see Z, A, L, and a tilted M. This child realizes not only that writing has meaning, but that letters are a part of writing.

Partial Alphabetic Writing

This child wrote "ODPS" to represent octopus. She uses letters to represent some sounds, which shows that this child is making the connection that letters represent sounds on a page. 

 

Full Alphabetic Writing

In this writing sample, Megan has begun to write her name. This invented spelling of her name contains more sound matching to letters in the alphabet than the writing sample for partial alphabetic writing. She is gaining a deeper understanding of phonics and writing.

 

Chunks of Spelling in Writing

This child is able to write conventionally spelled words. This child has had many experiences with writing, words, and phonics.

Many preschool children will experience the first two or three phases depending on their individual development. No matter what stage of writing your child is at, you should be proud! Your child is gaining a deeper understanding of language and writing each day. Continue to encourage your child to write at home by offering writing supplies and asking your child to read what they wrote to you.