Writing acquisition is the developmental progression in learning to write for purposes of communication. In the Student Services program, we have been encouraging the children to become independent writers from the beginning of the school year. We ask the children to write their own stories regardless of their letter or word knowledge. All approximations are accepted and correct letters and words are modeled by the staff.

Allow your child to be exposed to and experience writing at home. When it is time to make up the weekly shopping list, encourage your child to help. Next time he/she shows you a drawing ask him to write down what it’s about.

Write often in front of your child. For example, when taking telephone messages, making shopping lists, filling in forms, writing letters, or cards, etc. Talk out loud as you write, describing what you are doing. For example, “I am going to write a note to dad. How should I start?” You are modeling and demonstrating more than you will ever know about writing. Your child will learn that people write to share information, that they use letters to encode the meaning and that a person pauses and ask themselves, “what do I want to say?”

It is important when your child writes, scribbles or draws to represent an attempt at writing to take it seriously. By taking your child’s writing seriously and listening to the intended message your are supporting his writing development. No matter how garbled it is act as if it is meaningful and then say “will you read it to me?”

Encourage your child to make an attempt at phonetic spelling. Do NOT correct the spelling, but value the approximation. Display your child’s writing. Value all early attempts to write, whatever form it takes.

Create a little writing table for his/her own use in a well lit area. Provide paper, note pads, pencils, pens, markers, etc. You may want to purchase a simple picture dictionary for your child. Encourage your child to engage in “real life” writing such as birthday cards, writing thank you letters, or sending post cards.

Our aim at HKIS is to provide a happy, caring environment with each and every child actively involved in the learning process.

Questions? Please contact the Student Services Center.
Last updated: December 08, 2000.