Early Writing (Pre-School to First Grade)

I listened to a Voice of Literacy Podcast about Early Writing.  The guest was Dr. Debby Rowe from Vanderbilt University.  Dr. Rowe is also the Co-Director U.S. Department of Education Early Reading First Project.  Dr. Rowe focus is working with young two-three year old pre-school students.  She has had years of experience both in and outside the classroom setting.

Dr. Rowe works to develop young children's writing abilities.  She does this developmentally working with the children's expressed interests.  What you have in your classroom especially for young students and children is vital.  Having fun yet challenging and engaging toys is essential.  She mentions having choices like puzzles, blocks, science and writing centers. 

Having a writing table and center will further children and start them writing at an early age.  At the writing table much like with older students have mini writing conferences.  Start writing conferences with social stuff like small talk or asking how the students day is going.  I think this will take pressure of the student from thinking they have to do well at this.  Take writing into areas students are interested in.  Having a wide variety of topics the interest all types of students is essential.  Make writing general and fun do not force it onto students.  Making it a fun activity will have students wanting to come to the writing center or table. 

Dr. Rowe believes there are four types of kids when it comes to writing.

1. Socially Oriented Interests Kid

• likes being around people
• plays and interacts
• varied profiles beacasue they do what frends do more often
• flexible

2. Procedural Kid

• kid that likes to know how things work
• build or write on how it actually looks 
• choose to copy letters

3. Creative Kids

• tries to learn new uses or procedures
• creative example using marker caps as finger nails
• write all things creatively works with different materials

4. Conceptually Oriented Kids

• topical interest (dinosaurs)
• write with them and let students lead instead of the adult

All students will try all four at one time or another.  Typically a studnet will find one kind that is them and stick to it.

After listening to this podcast is really surprised me and excited me on how much can be taught to kids at such young ages.  I never realized when working with younger students how eager and developed they could become as writers. Systems similar to this would be great if implemented at all pre-schools.  The advantages and development for the students is amazing.  As one becoming a teacher I am excited to teach and see children develop.  Dr. Rowe and her research is great and I hope more parents and teachers start writing with their children when they are three or four.