“You can make anything by writing.” – C.S. Lewis
From the very first scribble to a carefully written sentence, writing is one of childhood’s most exciting adventures. Every swirl of color, every shaky letter, and every story told through pictures is a step toward self-expression and literacy.
At Celebree School of Fishtown, we celebrate writing as both an art and a skill. Understanding the stages of writing development in early childhood helps parents and educators support children as they grow from curious explorers into confident communicators.
Understanding the Stages of Writing Development
- Scribbling and Drawing (Ages 1–3)
Before words, there are marks. Children begin by exploring the joy of making lines, loops, and colorful scribbles. These early creations help them develop fine motor skills and begin to connect motion with meaning.
How You Can Support This Stage:
- Offer crayons, markers, or chalk in various sizes for sensory play.
- Let them experiment on large sheets of paper or a chalkboard.
- Describe their work. “You used red and blue! What’s happening in your picture?”
- Letter-Like Forms and Early Symbols (Ages 3–4)
Children begin mimicking letters they see, often creating their own versions. They may not write real words yet, but they’re learning that writing represents language.
How You Can Support This Stage:
- Write your child’s name often and help them recognize it.
- Encourage play-based writing, like “taking food orders” or writing “shopping lists.”
- Provide opportunities to see adults writing. It reinforces that writing has purpose.
- Strings of Letters and Name Writing (Ages 4–5)
This stage brings the thrill of forming real letters, especially those in their own name. Children often write random strings of letters, showing awareness of how writing looks on a page.
How You Can Support This Stage:
- Keep an alphabet chart in sight and sing ABC songs together.
- Practice writing names and familiar words in fun, tactile ways, like with sand or play-dough.
- Display their writing proudly. This boosts confidence and encourages effort.
- Sound and Letter Connection (Ages 5–6)
Children begin to connect letters to sounds, writing words as they hear them (“DG” for “dog”). This phonetic spelling is a huge step toward literacy.
How You Can Support This Stage:
- Read aloud daily and emphasize letter sounds.
- Play simple word games to practice beginning and ending sounds.
- Celebrate effort and creativity over correctness. Spelling skills develop gradually.
- Words, Sentences, and Stories (Ages 6–7 and beyond)
Children begin forming sentences and using writing to express ideas, describe events, and tell stories. Their writing becomes more detailed and expressive as their vocabulary and fine motor control expand.
How You Can Support This Stage:
- Encourage storytelling. Ask them to write or dictate short stories.
- Provide journals or notebooks to inspire daily writing.
- Praise their progress and share in the excitement of their stories.
How Celebree School of Fishtown Supports Writing Development
At Celebree School of Fishtown, we turn curiosity into communication. Our educators create literacy-rich classrooms filled with opportunities for children to write, draw, label, and share ideas every day.
Through play-based learning and individualized instruction, we nurture fine motor skills, encourage imagination, and build the confidence children need to find their voice. Whether your child is experimenting with crayons or crafting full sentences, our teachers guide them with care, enthusiasm, and expertise.
Because at Celebree, we know every mark on the page matters, and every child’s story deserves to be told.
