Write on!

The next few posts will be dedicated to writing. Writing is an important literacy skill that develops at the same time as reading. So much of our everyday life is based on print and the written word and it is important for all adults to be able to read and write well.

As children grow and develop they learn to communicate their ideas and experiences. They learn to get along with other children, to take care of themselves, and to use language. Much of their learning in school takes place through reading and writing. Children who have time to make their own discoveries about words are more likely to be successful in school.

How Do Children Learn to Write?

Writing doesn't start in the first grade. Most children experiment with it long before they enter school. Like everything else they do however, children begin to write only when they are ready. While some children are eager to write at an early age, others may not show the slightest interest in writing until they are almost ready to start elementary school.

Children learn writing by:

- seeing words in print
- watching other people write
- using crayons, scissors, play dough, and other things
- trying to write

Are there any questions or specific concerns you would like me to address over the next few days?