Helping Your Child to Write in the Foundation Stage

What your child will be learning: To use their phonic knowledge to write words in ways which match their spoken sounds. Write some irregular common words. Write simple sentences which can be read by themselves and others. Spell some words correctly and spell others phonetically plausibly.

Modelling the correct letter formation

Stages of writing... Stages of writing... Mark making

Stages of writing... -Oral segmentation -Different to blending sounds in words to read; identifying sounds and squashing together -Writing requires segmentation; Chopping words up’ into sounds to write.

Stages of writing... Writing letters

Stages of writing... Writing words

Stages of writing... Writing phrases/sentences

How you can help…. Use a wide range of vocabulary Model speaking in full sentences Model writing Write together for a purpose Encourage writing in their roleplay Positive experience Praise Lets write together! Well done! Good job!

How you can help…. Ensure children are forming letters correctly. Encourage child to hold writing equipment correctly (triangle pencils may help) Write large first (concentrate on formation not on a small size). Make writing fun, exciting and purposeful! Try to follow child’s natural enthusiasm to write rather than creating ‘work’ for them

Fun Writing activities Write in wet sand/mud/with chalk/paint Write in the bath in steam Use magnetic letters to make words Make letters out of play dough Make letters out of objects eg shells/sticks Make labels for things around the house e.g. door, window. Make labels for dens/power-rangers men etc Write shopping lists together, birthday cards etc Write letters to Santa! Use touch screen device apps to practice letter formation (‘iWW Lite’ is fun and free!)

We hope some of the practical tips will help to make learning to write both fun and successful for you and your child.