The Stages in Children's Writing...
When children begin to learn to write, they are often trying to reproduce what they have seen adults write. Researches have six major stages in the development of a child’s learning to write. They are Beginning Writing, Early-emergent Writing, Emergent Writing, Early Writing, Transitional Writing and Extended Writing (Hill, 2012). These stages start before school, and continue through their schooling life.
Beginning Writing
This is the first stage in which a child learns to write. Usually, a child will draw to show their message, and then verbalise what their drawing means (Hill, 2012). Drawing is a very important aspect of a child's learning to write, as it demonstrates they're understanding to visualise how they feel and to convey a message.
This is the first stage in which a child learns to write. Usually, a child will draw to show their message, and then verbalise what their drawing means (Hill, 2012). Drawing is a very important aspect of a child's learning to write, as it demonstrates they're understanding to visualise how they feel and to convey a message.
Early-Emergent Writing
In the second stage of writing, children start to discover symbols (Hill, 2012). These symbols consist of either numbers or letters, or both, which are used to symbolize words. An example of this is a child using the letter "d" to symbolise the word "dog". Their writing may not use clear and concise words, however they start to understand that letters can represent words.
In the second stage of writing, children start to discover symbols (Hill, 2012). These symbols consist of either numbers or letters, or both, which are used to symbolize words. An example of this is a child using the letter "d" to symbolise the word "dog". Their writing may not use clear and concise words, however they start to understand that letters can represent words.
Emergent Writing
This is the stage when children start to recognise shapes that look more like letters. They begin spacing out their writing and start to write from left to right (Hill, 2012). There writing may also start to show more depth and meaning into what it is they are trying to accurately write.
This is the stage when children start to recognise shapes that look more like letters. They begin spacing out their writing and start to write from left to right (Hill, 2012). There writing may also start to show more depth and meaning into what it is they are trying to accurately write.
Early Writing
Children start to recognise that there are lower case and capital letters. Their spelling becomes more apparent; however they may still create their own spelling of words and may still use one letter to signify a syllable. Children are often found repeating sentences, as this helps them practice and therefore build their confidence in writing (Hill, 2012).
Transitional Writing
In the stage of transitional writing, punctuation becomes clearly visible and the children’s quantity of writing increases, as does the quality of writing (Hill, 2012). Children may still struggle in this stage to adequately complete their sentences properly, however they are able to write stories with good story lines.
Extending Writing
This is the last stage in the development of writing. The writing becomes similar to that of an adult. Children in this stage understand audiences, punctuation, spelling and storytelling, all to a suitable level. There may still be mistakes, however this is usually kept to a minimum.