Scribbling is an important step in learning to write
All children develop at different rates. Learning how to write is no exception.
It is an exciting time when your child begins to experiment with different shaped scribbles and patterns. It is the start of a journey towards being able to write and is a developmental milestone. When children begin to write, they simply enjoy making marks, lines, shapes and or scribbles on paper. To you it may look like lines, but to the child s/he may tell you that they are writing, and tell you the meaning of the lines they have written.
At this stage children often hold the pen/pencil in a whole fisted grip. Although parents may think this is wrong, the child is learning and practicing strokes that are required later for ‘real’ writing, e.g. circle shapes, upward and downward strokes.
It is an exciting time when your child begins to experiment with different shaped scribbles and patterns. It is the start of a journey towards being able to write and is a developmental milestone. When children begin to write, they simply enjoy making marks, lines, shapes and or scribbles on paper. To you it may look like lines, but to the child s/he may tell you that they are writing, and tell you the meaning of the lines they have written.
At this stage children often hold the pen/pencil in a whole fisted grip. Although parents may think this is wrong, the child is learning and practicing strokes that are required later for ‘real’ writing, e.g. circle shapes, upward and downward strokes.
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For example:
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Next children move onto making marks that are more recognizable. Perhaps letters from their own name or letters from words they regularly see
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For example:
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After a time where children are more aware of letters they may start to write recognizable, random, letters of the alphabet. At this point there is often no meaning to others – it is just a collection of letters, but the child believes they are writing. This is an important step in learning to write. These squiggles on paper have meaning and convey a child’s message
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For example:
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Next, these random letters may become grouped together in word forms although the actual word the child is writing may still be unrecognizable to the parent. There may be a mix of capital letters and lower case letters. Often the first letter of the word may represent the whole word
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For example:
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Later words become spaced and more ‘real’ letters will appear in the words. Invented spelling is normal at this stage. This is when children use their growing knowledge of letter sounds (phonics) to try spelling and writing words. (e.g. wkom = welcome)
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For example:
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As children develop their writing skills, they also increase their vocabulary knowledge and gain a bank of words they know by heart. However they still use their phonic knowledge to spell (e.g. plly= play)
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For example:
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Even though the child is not writing English correctly, it is very important to show approval for these efforts and encourage your child. It is also ok to gently show the child how to spell the word ‘play’ – but be mindful to choose only one word at a time to correct otherwise the child will feel foolish and discouraged. It is important to encourage and inspire your child to do better and be interested in learning; rather than make them feel foolish and give up.
Once children are demonstrating a real interest in forming letters, then it is time to demonstrate correct formation of each letter. Even then, it must not be a chore, nor should every letter be practiced at once…just show children how to write a letter one at a time.
Hopefully this has given parents insight into how children learn and develop English writing skills. Each child will develop at their own pace. Too much pushing or chastising on making your child write ‘correctly’ may take away all the enjoyment and motivation to learn to write English. Lots of praise, encouragement and interest from the parent is vital. “Tell me about your writing.” “What do your words mean?” are good parent strategies.
Children also need to see adults writing, so please let your child watch you write notes, shopping lists, names, the alphabet, etc. Most of all have fun with your children, and read stories together……reading and writing go hand in hand.
Once children are demonstrating a real interest in forming letters, then it is time to demonstrate correct formation of each letter. Even then, it must not be a chore, nor should every letter be practiced at once…just show children how to write a letter one at a time.
Hopefully this has given parents insight into how children learn and develop English writing skills. Each child will develop at their own pace. Too much pushing or chastising on making your child write ‘correctly’ may take away all the enjoyment and motivation to learn to write English. Lots of praise, encouragement and interest from the parent is vital. “Tell me about your writing.” “What do your words mean?” are good parent strategies.
Children also need to see adults writing, so please let your child watch you write notes, shopping lists, names, the alphabet, etc. Most of all have fun with your children, and read stories together……reading and writing go hand in hand.
How can you help your child?
Preferred writing font
Below is the preferred writing font for children to learning to write. Current research indicates that Sassoon Infant Font is the best font for children to learn to write. Sassoon Infant Font has a slight slant, plain tops and exit strokes on the base. These help to join words together when children are starting to write in cursive. Children can start on the bold dot and follow the arrows.
Feel free to enlarge and print this so children can practice writing skills.
- Encourage your child to draw and then, in the corner of the page, write what they tell you the drawing is about Let your child see you writing. Children learn through imitation, so it’s a wonderful means of learning.
- Provide different books, words and letters as models for their writing
- Encourage your child to use a variety of paper for drawing or writing e.g. A4 paper, notepads, post it notes, cardboard, white, colored, etc.
- Encourage your child to use a variety of colored pens and pencils for drawing or writing
- Use capital letters appropriately. Only use them at the start of a name or place, the rest should be in lower case letters. e.g. Susan not SUSAN. Children should learn lower case letters first as they are actually easier and used more for writing. Children who learn only Capital or Upper case letters need to re-learn letters when at Primary School.
- Praise any attempt at writing and making marks. Value what your child is producing.
- Talk about the child’s work and encourage them to share their work with the family at home.
Preferred writing font
Below is the preferred writing font for children to learning to write. Current research indicates that Sassoon Infant Font is the best font for children to learn to write. Sassoon Infant Font has a slight slant, plain tops and exit strokes on the base. These help to join words together when children are starting to write in cursive. Children can start on the bold dot and follow the arrows.
Feel free to enlarge and print this so children can practice writing skills.
SassoonInfant Font
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Acknowledgement and thanks to the English Schools Foundation for the information provided in this article.