Writing in the Early Years Foundation Stage & Key Stage 1

What is writing? It is a representational way of: Recording events in our lives. Prompting us. Informing others and Recording our creative thoughts and the results of our imaginings.

Writing begins with mark making. We encourage children: To use chalks, pens, pencils, brushes and to make marks in shaving foam, sand, cornflour, playdough and clay. To experiment with textures and shapes and to create patterns and pictures in order to develop fine motor control.

Mark Making and Writing Develops in stages: Random scribbling which develops into flowing circular shapes. Drawing simple pictures. Symbols or mock letters. Emergent writing with letter strings. or groups of letters and squiggles. Picture labelling and writing names. Invented spelling or initial letters. Sounding out words and writing sentences.

How can we help children to become confident writers? Plan an environment that reflects the importance of language. Provide opportunities for children to see adults writing and Create a time, a place and a reason for children to experiment with writing for themselves.

Confident speakers: Children should hear, use and enjoy a rich diet of oral language through books, stories, rhymes, drama and songs and retelling and sequencing stories. They should also see adults modelling writing, messages, lists, labels, instructions, letters and stories.

Writing with a Purpose Children need a reason to write. Writing should be an inclusive part of children’s play and based on real experiences. In school we use dramatic role play to build the skills of story writing. Children can explore roles and themes, beginnings, endings and links.

Creative Role Play Role play areas indoors and outside provide many opportunities to write lists, diaries, messages, menus, orders, invitations, letters, signs, forms and tickets. Post Office Play house, Birthday parties Vet/ Animal Hospital Hospital & Doctors surgery Shoe Shop Baby Clinic Beach Cafe Caravan Garage Fire Station Chinese Restaurant Castle Jungle Pet Shop

How do we teach writing at Hiltingbury?

1. Choosing a genre Fiction Non- Fiction Poetry Look out for the variety of responses in the children’s writing activities

2.Finding a stimulus Books Texts Pictures Video clips Drama

3. Modelling good writing Watching an adult model good writing. Sharing in the writing process- ideas, spellings, grammar, punctuation … Asking children to improve a piece of writing or focussing on a specific skill (Guided Writing)

4. Practising and rehearsing Using whiteboards Oral rehearsal Drafting/Editing ICT

5. Reminding children what makes good writing Think before you write Use your sounds to spell unfamiliar words Use lots of description Don ’ t forget punctuation VCOP displays – Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers, Punctuation Present writing neatly and clearly

The teaching sequence for writing

How can you support your child’s writing? Be sensitive and listen to what they say. Talk about their writing Encourage them to feel proud of their work. Encourage them to ‘have a go’ and take risks. Value their efforts. Let them write lists, labels, messages and greetings without copying and praise their attempts at independent writing. Thank You!