The Stages of Writing Development                              

    This past summer, in a course called Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum, I had the pleasure of learning about the different stages of reading development (according to Jean Chall), that a child goes through. Now, in this LIT writing course, I have been exposed to the stages of development as it relates to writing, which students transition through. I have  learnt that just like with reading, each child goes through different stages of writing ability- Emergent- Fluent, at each stage acquiring new skills and abilities.

    Having taught at the preschool and Kindergarten levels, and having a three year old daughter, I am most familiar with the emergent writers. I must say I had some 'aha' moments when reading about writers at this stage, because I was able to gain clarity on some of the characteristics they display. I always wondered why it is that they prefer to stand when writing and colouring or engage in self talk while do most writing activities. Also, why my daughter complains of her hands being tired after colouring a while, or chooses to scribble on my clean walls. However, now I understand that it is truly just a part of their stage of writing development and when seeing these writers display the aforementioned characteristics, it lets me know that they are on the right track.

Additionally, I found out one new way to help my emergent writers, is to have them think of a topic, draw something related to it and the attach their name and date. This is a great way at their level to prepare them for the writing process, that they would engage in, during the later stages of writing development. 

What level of writers have you worked with and what are some of the writing characteristics they display at that stage?