Stages of Emergent Writing in Preschool (What Stage is Your Little One In?)

One day when I first started teaching in my own classroom, I had a substitute teacher ask me why I was complimenting my preschoolers’ writing because it was “all just scribbles.” The question struck me as odd and frankly a little bit rude. But then I realized it wasn’t meant to be rude at all.  In fact, I think she was genuinely curious as to why I might be praising the work. You see, she was a former high school teacher who started substitute teaching in her retirement. So, working with young preschoolers in an elementary school wasn’t her area of expertise. She wasn’t aware of the stages of emergent writing in preschool.

Writing Happens in Stages

When you earn your degree in early childhood education you become well-versed in emergent writing. Or in other words, the natural progression of writing in young children. But, most people aren’t familiar with these stages of development. So, it’s not surprising to hear questions like, “is it okay that my 4 year old writes his letters backwards sometimes? Or “My child only draws pictures, but hasn’t tried writing any letters. Should I be worried?”

Think about it this way, a human baby doesn’t come out of the womb ready to walk. First, that newborn will start strengthening its body with tummy time. Then as it gets stronger it will begin to roll and to sit. Then it will crawl and eventually it will walk. It works the same way with writing because writing happens in stages. 

How does Writing Develop in Young Children

Before we dive into what each stage looks like, it’s important to remember that not all children develop at the same pace. Several factors can impact a child’s path through these stages, i.e. their age, cognitive ability, fine-motor development, letter-sound knowledge, etc.  Therefore, the stages introduced below are meant to be a guide. This guide may help you understand how writing typically progresses in children from approximately two to eight years old. 

Additionally, it’s important to know that children begin to learn about reading and writing by observing the world around them. Over time they will begin to understand that words have meaning and writing conveys messages. Therefore, it’s imperative that caregivers model writing in front of their child, as well as provide opportunities for their child to practice writing. 

It should also be noted that if you were to research the stages of emergent writing online you may see the categories broken down differently depending on the resource. Therefore, here is a simple summary of what the stages typically look like. I’ve compiled this using information from Head Start: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center.

Simple Strategies to Promote Your Child’s Early Writing

Since you now know that writing happens in stages it will be easier for you to recognize your own child’s progression. In addition, it will be easier for you to promote your child’s writing development at home. Here are a few writing tips I provide in my free Literacy in Early Childhood Guide.

• Model writing in front of your child to demonstrate that writing serves a purpose. For example, say, “We write milk and eggs on the list to help us remember to get them at the store.” Have them pretend to write lists and messages also. 
• Allow your child to write with a variety of utensils, such as crayons, pencils, pens, and markers. Using varying levels of thickness and length is also ideal, i.e. fat vs. skinny crayons, short vs. tall pencils, etc.  
• Focus on the process rather than the product. Encourage them to write independently and praise them for the efforts, i.e. ” I love that you are trying your best! Show me again how you tried to make a line.”
• Please note, that before a child can write, or even correctly hold a writing utensil, they must develop their fine-motor coordination. Here are some simple activities to build hand and finger strength to prepare them for a future of writing: peeling stickers, tearing paper, and using play-dough or shaving cream to make letters, numbers, and shapes. Also, allow your child to write while sitting down, laying on their bellies, and standing upright at a wall or easel. Writing in different positions helps to develop a child’s overall core strength which is important for handwriting as well.

Additionally, you can promote your child’s writing development as well as encourage them to practice gratitude with this journal I’ve created specifically for kids.

Now talk to me! What writing stage is your little one in? Please share your comments or questions below.

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Reference: Head Start: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center. (2021, February 12). Emergent writing. ECLKC. Retrieved September 28, 2021, from https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/video/emergent-writing.

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