Supporting Early Writing Mrs. Bracchi

Children’s writing is based on skills and understandings which they develop as babies and toddlers. Before they can write, they need to learn to use spoken language to communicate. Later they learn to write down the words they can say. (Development Matters 2012)

Early Mark making 8-20 months Enjoys the sensory experience of making marks in damp sand, paste or paint.

Hold pen or crayon using a whole hand grasp and makes random marks with different strokes.

22-36 months Begin to distinguish between marks they make

30-50 months Sometimes gives meaning to marks as they draw and paint. Ascribes meanings to marks that they see in different places.

How we support this stage in school Mark making on a large scale indoors and outdoors Mark making resources in all areas of the provision Painting Malleable materials Activities using manipulative skills to develop fine motor skills

30-50 months Model writing for a purpose, e.g. a shopping list, message for the teacher, or reminder for yourself. Write down your child’s ideas for stories and games then read it back to them, pointing out the words to show words can be written down. Include opportunities for writing during role-play and games played at home. Begin to encourage your child to use their phonic knowledge when writing.

months Use some clearly identifiable letters to communicate meaning, representing some sounds correctly and in sequence. Writes own name and other things such as labels, captions. Attempts to write short sentences in meaningful contexts.

Developing pencil grip

How we support this stage in school Writing opportunities in all areas of the provision indoors and outdoors Daily phonics session Formal writing task ‘busy job’ every day Writing for a purpose in a meaningful context

Superheroes writing

Early Learning Goal Children use their phonic knowledge to write words in ways which match their spoken sounds. They also write some irregular common words. They write simple sentences which can be read by themselves and others. Some words are spelt correctly and others are phonetically plausible.

Helping at home Read to and with your child Encourage your child to engage with homework activities Always have pens, paper etc. to hand for any opportunity to write Write with your child and talk about what you are doing, e.g. shopping lists, cards, etc.

Any Questions? Thank you for coming today.