Learning+to+Write

=Learning to Write... = = =   //Learning to write is a physically and mentally demanding activity.// When children begin writing, they can tell more complex stories than they can write. When we are learning to write, we are representing language in written symbols.

But writing doesn't only involve written symbols. It involves: Once all these are combined a child is on their way to becoming a successful writer!
 * forming letters
 * writing letters without reversals
 * getting the spelling right
 * writing in lines from left to right
 * making a written word correspond to a spoken word
 * actually being able to hold a pencil, which can be quite hard

Written language is organised into words, sentences and paragraphs. "When children begin writing they learn that their are differences between the language they speak and the language they write down" (Hill, 2006 p280).  Children will begin to write by imitating what the adults they see are writing and how they are writing, and will produce their own shopping lists, notes, telephone numbers and other messages relevant to their everyday context. **The Sign Principle** develops when children realise that letters and symbols stand for something. Children begin to understand that the drawing of a car represents a car, but that the word ‘car’ has none of the actual features of a car (Hill, 2006).


 * The Linear Principle** is about directionality. Young children learn that English is written from left to right in lines that go across the page. Children learn that the same letter can be written in different ways, such as upper case and lower case.

Researchers have described Developmental Stages of Writing (Sulzby 1986; Teale 1986 cited in Hill 2006 p283). Children do not always go through these stages in order, but most features are observed at some point of time in children's development.

Children may also like to use the [|Internet] and interactive sites as a way to improve their writing skills.