Context of writing
This writing sample was created by an almost 4 year old boy. He carefully drew the picture and added the caption to the top. When asked what he wrote, the author said “Me and my family.”
What is this child able to do as a writer?
This writer clearly separated the message from the picture. This lets us know the writer understands that print conveys meaning. The author is able to form some letters, and appears to have written the message from left to right. The letters are random, however, and the author has not begun to map written letters to the sounds in the words in the intended message.
What can we do to nurture this writer?
Two upcoming milestones for this writer include:
- Letters for the salient sounds in words
- Spaces between words
Different types of paper, including memo pads, envelopes, lined paper and some smaller pens and pencils are good writer’s tools at this stage. Tubs of foam letters and letter magnets are also handy.