Isn’t it amazing when children learn to write? Watching them progress from scribbling on the paper to writing proper sentences is nothing less than seeing them grow. Evidently, it’s not something that happens in a day. It’s a process that takes time, and you can track your little human’s progress through the stages of emergent writing.
In order to track their progress and help them through it, you need to understand each stage of emergent kindergarten writing and know what to expect from the kids. This will also help you identify if and when the child needs professional help.
In this blog, let’s take a closer look at developmental kindergarten writing. We’ll also share some insights on how each stage during this writing process contributes to a child’s literacy development. So, let’s begin!
Understanding the Stages of Emergent Kindergarten Writing
When kids start writing, it's like watching a little magic unfold. They’re learning to share their thoughts and ideas on paper, even if it’s just squiggles and marks at first. In kindergarten, this process is all about experimenting, not necessarily spelling out real words.
-
Scribble Stage
It all kicks off with the scribble stage. Here, children grab crayons or markers and make big, free-spirited scribbles. These aren’t organized or structured yet, but they’re the first step in trying to communicate through writing.
-
Symbolic Stage
Then comes the symbolic stage. Kids start realizing that those marks they’re making can actually mean something. They try to draw things that remind them of the world around them, even if they don’t quite look like letters yet. This shift is huge because it’s where they first connect writing with expression.
-
Directional Scribble Stage
As they move along, they hit the directional scribble stage. Now, they start noticing that writing goes from left to right. Their scribbles still don’t form real words, but understanding direction is key as they get closer to forming letters.
-
Symbolic or Mock Letters
At this point, they begin experimenting with symbolic or mock letters. These shapes look more like letters, and they start mixing in symbols, numbers, and even spaces. They’re not spelling words, but get the feel of what letters look like.
-
Emergent Stage
Now, things get exciting with the emergent stage. Kids begin stringing together letters they recognize, like those in their own names. There’s no spacing, and they’re not following any spelling rules, but this is a big leap from just copying what they see—they’re creating something uniquely theirs.
-
Using Environmental Print
Finally, they start noticing the words around them—like signs, posters, or familiar labels. This is environmental print, and kids often start copying these words as they build confidence in their writing skills and get ready to write their own thoughts down more independently.
Watching these stages unfold is a beautiful reminder of how writing begins as a fun journey of discovery.
Let’s understand these stages more closely as kids move from imitative writing to invented spellings.
Drawing and Imitative Writing
When kids first start writing, they mimic adults, filling pages with purposeful scribbles and shapes. Though these lines and loops may look random, each mark holds meaning to them, and they see it as storytelling. Explore more about these basic pre-writing strokes here.
Early on, they start writing left to right, picking up on text direction, and soon they create their own “letters”—symbols and numbers that resemble writing. It’s their first step in understanding how writing communicates ideas.
For parents and teachers, simple tools like pencils and grip-strength activities support this stage. Encouraging free creativity here builds a solid foundation for future writing.
The next step for kids is copying words as they see them around.
Copying Words
Copying words is a key step in a child’s writing journey. They start by mimicking words they see around them—from books to signs—learning how letters form words and carry meaning.
Seeing and copying familiar words, like “STOP” on a sign, helps them link words with purpose, boosting vocabulary and literacy. A writing center with engaging materials, or apps that let them trace letters, adds fun and keeps them curious.
Parents and teachers play a vital role by modeling and encouraging, which builds kids' confidence. Even random letter strings they create show they’re learning to use writing as both a creative and communicative tool, laying the foundation for more advanced writing skills.
Drawing and Strings of Letters
In the early stages of kindergarten writing, children often use random letters to convey messages that might not relate to actual sounds. This is an important part of their development, as they start to understand that letters are symbols that can represent messages.
For example, a child might write 'ABC' next to a picture they've drawn of their cat, showing they are beginning to see writing as a way to tell a story, even if the letters don't match any sounds they're trying to make.
Children use illustrations to play a crucial role during this stage. They give life to the child's ideas, enabling them to tell stories or describe experiences in a way they can grasp.
While their letter strings might seem meaningless to us, these illustrations provide context and help children bridge the gap between their thoughts and the written word.
This is also why you can use picture prompts to encourage writing in young kids. Check out our list of picture prompts to choose from as you begin their learning journey.
The next thing is phonetic writing, as kids start writing the words as they sound.
Early Phonetic Writing
In the early phonetic writing stage, kids start turning spoken words into writing. They often use just consonants, skipping vowels, to capture the sounds they hear.
-
Using Consonants to Spell Words
At this stage, perfect spelling isn’t the goal. It’s more about getting sounds on paper, and consonants are the go-to for most kids. Vowels come later as they get more comfortable.
-
Writing Simple Sentences
Kids also start stringing together simple sentences, like “I am hape wen I git to go to the prk with mi mome.” These sentences may not be spelled correctly, but they’re full of meaning and show the child's effort to communicate.
-
Expressing Emotions and Ideas
Encouragement from parents and teachers is key here. By focusing on what the child is trying to say rather than spelling mistakes, adults help kids feel confident. Open-ended questions like “Tell me about your writing” let children reflect on their ideas and express themselves more deeply.
-
Creating a Supportive Environment
A welcoming environment where mistakes are part of learning really matters. Activities like labeling objects, crafting notes, or simple storytelling let kids experiment with writing in a low-pressure way.
-
Supporting Sounds and Letters
Fun activities like clapping syllables or rhyming games help kids link sounds with letters, strengthening their phonics skills. Celebrating each effort motivates kids and builds a strong foundation for early writing skills.
Let’s understand the next stage of this kind of writing.
Phonetic Writing
At this stage, kids start using letters for every sound they hear, including vowels, making their writing easier to understand. For example, they might spell “cat” as “kat,” showing they’re catching on to how sounds and letters work together.
This phase is also filled with creativity. Their writing often comes with colorful drawings, making their stories come alive. Combining art with writing helps them communicate their ideas more vividly.
Activities that focus on matching sounds to letters, like sound-sorting games and clapping syllables, make learning fun and strengthen these new skills. Encouragement from parents and teachers lets kids know their writing is valued, boosting their confidence to keep going and growing.
As children learn more words and their brains start grasping and remembering more words, the next step is conventional phonetic writing where they use correct spellings.
Conventional Phonetic Writing
As kids move into the conventional stage of writing, their approach gets more organized. They start using conventional spelling and basic grammar, like capitalization and punctuation, which makes their writing clearer.
-
Focus on Topics and Individuality
At this point, kids focus more on what they’re writing about, often drawing from personal experiences or favorite topics. Whether it’s their latest snack or a class outing, they want to share meaningful ideas, a big shift from simply putting words on paper.
-
Learning Letter Structure
Kids also start understanding how to structure a friendly letter, including greetings, body, and closings. Activities like role-playing or writing to family members help them see that writing isn’t just for school—it’s a way to connect with others.
Providing varied writing materials and praising their creativity over technical precision makes writing enjoyable. When parents and teachers tie writing activities to real-life interests, they help kids see writing as a tool for expression and connection.
Final Thoughts
Watching kids journey through the stages of emergent writing is like witnessing tiny sparks turn into a roaring fire of creativity and self-expression. From scribbles and playful marks to structured sentences, each stage brings them closer to real, meaningful communication.
Whether they’re excitedly spelling out “kat” for “cat” or sharing a story about their latest adventure, every little effort counts. Encouraging kids through each phase and celebrating their unique expressions helps them see writing as more than just letters—it’s their voice on paper.
And if you’re looking for a fun way to keep that momentum going, check out the FunFox Program. This program is packed with interactive games, storytelling prompts, and creative exercises designed to nurture early literacy and writing skills in a playful, stress-free environment. FunFox is an excellent resource for parents who want to make writing a joyful, hands-on adventure for their child.
So, keep those crayons, markers, and pencils ready. With each word, your little ones are building skills that’ll stay with them for a lifetime.
