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Why writing is important
Reading and writing go together. Both represent spoken language and communicate information.
How to encourage writing
Help your child be ready to read with these simple activities every day.
- Writing begins with scribbles and other marks. Encourage this by providing many opportunities to draw and write.
- Children can "sign" their name to drawings, which helps them understand that print represents words.
- Talk to your children about what they have drawn and write captions or stories together.
Looking for more ways to encourage writing?
- Set up a space where your child can use pencils, crayons, washable markers or chalk.
- Help your child find the letters of their names around the house or when you go to the store.
- Use magnet letters on your refrigerator to write a message or their names.
- Ask your child to add to your grocery list or help cross off an item on your "to do" list.
Books
Encourage writing with these books.
Babies
- Alphabatics by Suse MacDonald
- Play by SAMi
- Baby's Shapes by Karen Katz
Toddlers
- A B SEE by Marilyn Janovitz
- Goodnight Moon ABC by Margaret Wise Brown
- Amazing Animal Alphabet by Brian Wildsmith
- Alphabet Animals: A Slide and Peek Adventure by Suse MacDonald
Preschool
- Chick-a Chick-a Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
- Alphabet Under Construction by Denise Fleming
- A B C T-Rex by Bernard Most
Rhymes, songs and stories
Encourage writing with these rhymes and songs.