Early forms of writing

Writing starts in pre-school children in the form of scribbles and various marks on paper. It's never too early to encourage writing in young children.

Encourage your child to be expressive with their scribbles and give them various things to 'write' on and various things to 'write' with.

Write on:

• coloured paper
• tracing paper
• lining paper
• sand
• pavement (with chalk)
• wipe boards
• envelopes
• post it notes
• notepads

Write with:

• crayons
• pencils
• pens
• chalk
• paint
• sticks (for sand)
• finger painting

Story telling

Encourage your child to make up stories for you to write down for them. They would love to see their stories on paper and to hear them read back to them.

If your child draws a picture ask them what is happening in the picture and explain the story.

Writing through play

Children will write through play pretending to write letters, shopping lists, menus etc.