1. Preschool Writing Stages of Development and Activities that Encourage Preschoolers to Write
Dr. Mary Abbott
April 3, 2009
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2. How Does Writing Relate to Literacy?
Development of pre-writing skills are critical to development of phonological awareness skills (Stahl & McKenna, 2001).
Phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, vocabulary, and writing skill stimulate growth in one another (Perfetti, Beck, Bell, & Hughes, 1987).

3. Stages of Preschool Writing
When learning to write, young children exhibit six different stages of development (Sulzby & Teale, 1985). This is a natural progression that occurs as children gain an understanding of what written language is and how it is used.
Sulzby, E., & Teale, W. “Writing Development in Early Childhood.” Educational Horizons, Fall, 1985, 8-12.

4. Stage 1 - Drawings
Children begin written literacy by telling their stories through pictures they have drawn.

5. Stage 2 - Wavy Scribbles
Children make wave-like lines on paper. This is an attempt to copy handwriting. There are no letters or breaks to look like words. The lines are on-going waves across the page.

6. Stage 3 - Letter-Like Scribbles
Children make forms that look like made-up letters or numbers. Familiar letters may appear. The “letters” are not grouped in word forms but scattered on the page.

7. Stage 4 - Random Letters in a Line
As children begin to recognize letters, they begin to write them. Letter forms are often backwards or upside-down. Letters lack space between them (not in word form), but are often written in lines or letter strings.

8. Stage 5 - Patterned Letters/Strings
Children begin to include letter strings with recognizable patterns. Sometimes simple words or their names appear within the letter strings. Some simple letter-sound knowledge may appear.

9. Stage 6 - Conventional Writing
There is a connection between the letters on the page and the sounds in the words children are trying to write. Misspellings and backward letters common. The writing can be read by others.

10. This Development Timeline Begins at BIRTH! - 0-18 Months
Facial expressions and vocal imitation
Transferring objects from one hand to another
Follows moving object
Picks up a small object
Recognizing symbols (mama means mother)

11. Toddler (12 months to age 3)
Recognizes logos (golden arches)
Marks purposefully on paper
Asks adult to label
Learns to hold a pencil
Snips with scissors
Writes or scribbles all over paper

12. Preschool – 30 months-5 years
Can tell that book pictures have meaning
Draws to tell a story
Recognizes name/names some letters
Recognizes patterns
Produces letter forms & then letters
Writes random letters
Understands left to right
Copies words

13. How Do We Encourage Writing?
Everyday during Circle/Small Group or Storybook, include some type of Language Experience Approach (LEA)/Shared writing. This provides a good modeled example of writing for children.
No more than 5 minutes
List only 4~5 things
Write the title prior to lesson
Build vocabulary & back ground knowledge
Use a variety of techniques as you are writing
Use different formats – lists, graphs…
Move to writing center during center time

14. Examples of Shared Writing

15. Examples of Shared Writing

16. Center Time Writing
Provide a variety of writing materials, different types of paper and an easel/chalkboard.
First encourage writing by modeling the writing process with “think aloud” about shopping lists, letters to friends, or other daily writing tasks. Then have children make lists
Role play roles in which real writing is used (e.g., restaurant, library, veterinarian).
Asked children to read what they’ve written.

17. Special Needs & Most Important
If needed, work with children on sensorimotor skills that include how to hold and use a pencil and eye/hand coordination such as copying objects.
MOST IMPORTANT - Encourage children to write at very early stages of development even before they understand letters, words or sentences.