Preparing for Kindergarten: Supporting Emergent Writing Skills

One of the most important parts of our work as early learning professionals is to help prepare young children to transition into elementary school. Writing is one of the skills children need to be successful in kindergarten. While writing might seem like a developmental skill that applies to older preschoolers, learning to write begins early and is built upon foundational pre-writing skills, such as the ability to hold and control a pencil. 

In this article, we will look at pre-writing and writing skills and explore a few simple activities to support children in their practice to set them up for success in kindergarten.

Pre-Writing

An Overview of Pre-Writing Skills

Writing brings together several different developmental skills that children begin practicing long before they are able to write any numbers or letters. 

Making marks on paper and scribbling are the earliest types of “writing” that children practice.  As they scribble, children use and strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers. They also learn how to hold their writing utensil, keep the paper still, and try drawing a variety of lines and shapes. 

Children move from scribbling to writing by integrating a broad range of early cognitive and physical developmental milestones, each of which is considered a pre-writing skill. For example, writing involves: 

• postural control to remain upright while doing seat work
• visual motor integration skills
• attention span and focus
• visual perceptual skills to determine the size and shape
• bilateral coordination (one hand to write and one hand to hold the paper)
• efficient pencil grasp and object manipulation
• motivation and motor planning
• cognitive awareness.

Activities to Practice Pre-Writing Skills

• Fine motor skill practice will help to strengthen muscles in fingers and hands. Examples of fine motor skill activities include lacing beads, cutting with scissors, manipulating play dough, interlocking blocks, buttoning, etc.
  • For more fine motor practice ideas, check out this big list of activities.
• Time to scribble, draw, and practice mark-making allows children to interact with pencil and paper in fun, creative ways.  Free, unstructured time gives children a chance to draw pictures of what interests them, making the practice engaging and fun and helping children develop a positive relationship with writing.

Writing Skills

An Overview of Writing Skills

Once children have mastered their foundational pre-writing skills, they start to become writers. Researchers call this phase of development emergent writing, which consists of three domains: 

1. Conceptual knowledge includes learning the function of writing. Children learn that writing has a purpose and that print/letters carry meaning to communicate a message. An example of this is when children become aware that the red, octagonal street signs say “stop”. 
2. Procedural knowledge takes place when children learn the mechanics of writing letters and words, and start to understand the alphabet (how to form letters and sounds associated with each letter).
3. Generative knowledge is the ability to translate thoughts into words, phrases, and sentences that can be written.   

For more detailed information about these three domains, click here to read NAEYC’s article, Promoting Preschoolers’ Emergent Writing.​

Activities to Practice Writing Skills

Children learn and gain interest in writing through exposure to print (letters, signs, etc.) in their environment. Teachers support children’s writing by incorporating opportunities to write during play activities throughout the day.  

• Practice name-writing. One of the first words children usually learn to write is their first name — and often, children will express interest in wanting to learn the letters of their own name. Name writing can be incorporated into classroom routines and activities by having children sign their name on their artwork, or by using a sign-in and sign-out sheet where children log their names. 
• Include writing in dramatic play. During pretend play, children might enjoy creating signs for their store, menus for their restaurant, or receipts for their cash register. Dramatic play provides a variety of opportunities for children to practice their writing skills in ways that feel interesting and fun. 
• Give each child a journal to practice writing. Journals offer a great opportunity for children to practice their writing skills, with the added benefit of becoming a record of their progress throughout the year. Purchase each child a journal for writing, drawing pictures, and doing activities throughout the year. The journal will also make a very special keepsake for families to hold onto.  

For more ways to incorporate journaling into your curriculum, you might enjoy Good2Know’s article:  Journaling to Support Learning & Creativity in Early Childhood.

Resources for Further Reading

• Promoting Preschoolers’ Emergent Writing, an article from NAEYC
• Learning to Write and Draw, an article from ZERO TO THREE
• Emergent Writing, an article from the University of Nevada Extension’s Healthy Kids Resource Center
• How Do I Write…? Scaffolding Preschoolers’ Early Writing Skills, an article from Reading Rockets