A Joy for Writing

The following is provided by the Texas A&M Institute for Early Childhood Development & Education

All young children are developing writing skills from the time they begin to pick up and move crayons and markers. Early stages of writing start with scribbles and drawing. By telling stories and describing their written shapes, children are developing the knowledge that what they write holds meaning. Soon after, they will begin recognizing more letters and attempt to use them to represent meaningful words such as their names or phrases including “I love you”. Every child learns how to form letters at a different pace. As children continue to learn, many families are promoting drawing, storytelling, and letter writing at home. Try these fun additions to your home activities to continue to support your child’s love for writing!

Writing as Play

Keep writing utensils and surfaces (e.g. crayons, chalk, markers, unlined or lined paper, and colored paper) available at home. The movement and thinking that occurs during play using these materials will prepare children for learning to write!

This is My Name! 

Model writing your child’s name, and help them to trace it and then write it on their own.

Multisensory Writing

Practice writing and forming letters on paper, in the air, in sand, or with Play-Doh! This helps children feel the shape and motion of creating letters.

Write Together

Include children when you are writing. Make a shopping list together or have them take your restaurant order for dinner. Point out words that start with the same letter as their name or your name.

Dictation

Ask your child about their artwork and write down what your child says about it. By making their words into written language, they become aware of the rules of writing! Encourage your child to read back the writing with you, or have them write out a simple word in the sentence with your help.

Checkout ReadingRockets.org for more literacy activities!

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