Reading and writing go together, as children become aware that printed letters stand for spoken words. Children develop a knowledge of the purpose and meaning of reading through writing. Writing helps children to:
Steps on how to include “Write” in library programming:
A look at the stages of a young child's writing, tips, and literacy prop ideas. [NAEYC, 11/2017]
An in-depth article first published in The Reading Teacher (May 2013) on providing young children with rich writing experiences.. [Reading Rockets, 2019]
Tips on encouraging shape and letter tracing, along with downloadable sheets! [DLTK's Crafts for Kids, 2019]
A look at 4 stages of drawing and writing in the very young child. [Zero to Three, 2/25/2016]
Reasons on why writing is an important skill for young children as well as suggestions to encourage writing. [¡ColorÍn Colorado!, 2019]
Play while reading text to help children make sense of the book. Children can use props such as puppets to talk about the characters in a storybook and retell the story or use other objects to think more deeply about informational text. If there are vocabulary words that are unfamiliar, acting them out through dramatic play helps them by using words they already know and put the new words into action.
Model writing by creating a special wish list with the children in your group after reading and talking through this sweet story.
Featuring a young preschooler who knows his letters, but not quite how to make words. Follow along as his simple letters slowly grow to make words and the words become a story!
Big, bold color shapes form different creatures. Teach children about shapes, because shapes become letters and letters become words.
Color or draw clouds with your child, looking for different shapes in the images.
Discover together different shapes and what the mice can create using them.