Every Child Ready To Read: Writing!

April 03, 2012

You may wonder how a child who isn’t reading yet can write. Scribbles!

All of the "scribbles" your child is making at this age are actually your child’s first attempts at written language. Give your child many opportunities to engage in this early writing. Provide lots of materials to explore writing with: pens, pencils, crayons, markers, paints, papers, chalkboards, etc. As well as improving literacy skills, use of these materials helps to develop fine motor skills by developing hand muscles and allows your child to practice eye-hand coordination.

Ask your child questions about what they are drawing/writing. Asking questions allows your child to make connections between spoken and printed language. You might want to suggest that you can add captions to their pictures if they’d like. Maybe they can put their drawings together into a "book" and read it to you!  Have your child sign their drawings and give to family or friends as gifts. The opportunities to share in writing are endless.

Get your child busy writing today! They will be so proud to "write" and tell stories to you!

Deanna R.
Riverside Branch