Standard: V.B.1. Shows motivation to engage in written expression Standard: V.B.2. Uses letter-like shapes, symbols, and letters to convey meaning. Standard: V.B.3. Demonstrates age-appropriate ability to write letters. Standard: V.B.4. Shows knowledge of structure of written composition.

What Is It? Why Is It Important?

Providing opportunities for children to write and to learn about print is essential to supporting their development as readers and writers. When children experiment with writing they are consciously thinking about what they know about print and how it works. Meaningful and purposeful writing opportunities motivate and encourage children to explore and learn about print.

Daily writing activities in the prekindergarten classroom should be playful and play-based. A daily variety of enjoyable and engaging encounters with writing, such as writing letters to family and friends, labeling personal masterpieces, or making a grocery list to shop in the classroom store, guarantees that young children experience writing as important, enjoyable, and useful. How adults react to children’s early attempts to write can also be highly motivating. For example, a big smile and an encouraging tone of voice that communicates “Read it to me!” lets children know that their writing attempts are reasons to celebrate.

Writing experiences in preschool prepare children for the instruction and learning experiences they will encounter in kindergarten. Showing children how you write teaches them how print works. Watching children as they write teaches you what they know and understand about how print works.