Writing in the EYFS

Arden Primary School

Early Learning Goal for WRITING

• By the end of the Reception Year children should be able to use their phonic knowledge to write words in ways which match their spoken sounds.

• They also write some common irregular words.• They write simple sentences which can be read by

themselves and others.• Some words are spelt correctly and others are phonetically

plausible.

30-50 months

At this age children should• Draws lines and circles with gross motor movements.

• Holds pencil between thumb and two fingers , no longer using whole-hand grasp.

• Holds pencil near the point between first two fingers and thumb and uses it with good control.

• Can copy some letters, e.g. the ones in their name.

• Sometimes gives meaning to marks as they draw and paint.

• Ascribes meaning to marks they see in different places.

30-50 months

40-60 months

At this age children should

• Shows a preference for a dominant hand.

• Begins to form recognisable letters.

• Uses a pencil and holds it effectively to form recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.

• Begins to break the flow of speech into words.

• Links sounds to letters, naming and sounding the letters of the alphabet.

• Writes own name and other things such as labels and captions.

• Attempts to write short sentences in meaningful contexts.

40-60 months

These samples show what the children should be able to do at the end of the Reception Year

Things to do to support your child at home.

Model writing for different purposes. E.g cards, letters, postcards, lists, Labelling.

Puppets as props – Ask your child “ What sounds can you hear in the word log? Your child would say l-o-g and write it down.

Breaking down the flow of speech into words. Encourage you child to really think carefully about what they are wishing to write before putting pen to paper. (put words onto your chin)

Use a finger space wizard to encourage your child to make accurate spacing and always end with a full stop.

Practise spelling irregular (non-decodable) words for example to, no, go.

Handwriting

It is important that your child learns correct formation from the start.

Use the ‘snappy crocodile’ to encourage your child to hold their pen correctly.

Handwriting is best learnt in ‘families’ of letters.

Try to help your child write letters with the correct formation. Encouraging top to bottom and anti-clockwise movements.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT