Making marks: The beginnings of writing

• Talk about and let them see you do ordinary writing tasks such as: making a shopping list or writing a birthday card and get them involved.
• Ask them to read their writing to you
• Provide a variety of writing ,materials such as: chalks, crayons, paint and brushes, pencils, felt tips etc
• Make some home made play dough (see older post).  Make marks on it or make shapes
• Make patterns together
• Make a book or play shop or post office
• Give them lots of paper, even old wallpaper and let them make squiggles.  Praise them when they do
• Write with water and washing up bottles, paint rollers, paint brushes - outside
• Let them make mistakes!  It's all part of learning