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Early Writing And Alphabet Knowledge: Language and Literacy In Children Aged 3-5

Source: State: Nebraska Department of Education
Topics: Early Years (Birth-5), Reading and Writing Readiness, What to Expect in Writing (Grade and Age), Supporting Your Child's Writing, more...

Widely Held Expectations

  • Child shows an interest in early writing
    • Uses scribbles, shapes or pictures to represent specific thoughts, ideas, stories
  • Child progresses in the identification of letters
    • Identifies some letters and numbers
    • Uses pretend writing in play as a purposeful activity
  • Child recognizes and/or writes own name on artwork or possessions

Learning in Action: Examples

The Child

  • Uses magnetic letters or other alphabet materials to form own name
  • Labels a drawing with several randomly placed, letter-like shapes
  • Copies letters from signs and labels posted around the room

The Adult

  • Displays children’s names on artwork, cubbies and all personal supplies
  • Models the use of writing and drawing in everyday activities
  • Promotes literacy related play activities and respects children’s attempts at writing
  • Provides opportunities for children to express their thoughts and ideas through the developmental stages of scribbles to conventional print
  • Displays the alphabet at child’s eye level

The Environment Includes

  • Writing materials to encourage children’s attempts at writing
  • Books and writing tools, from crayons to computers, in each area of play
  • Displays of children’s art (including children’s beginning attempts at writing) around the room at child’s eye level

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