Download BEYOND ABCs & WRITING MY NAME

STAGES OF WRITING DEVELOPMENT
The Creative Center for Childhood Research and Training, Inc.
www.cccrt.org
STAGE 1
Random Scribbling
STAGE 2
Controlled Scribbling
STAGE 3
Repetition of Specific Lines and Shapes
STAGE 4
Practicing Letters (name letters)
STAGE 5
Written Name
STAGE 6
Copy Words in the Environment
STAGE 7
Invented Spelling
• Initial consonant (M represents Monster)
• Initial and final consonant (MR represents Monster)
• Middle consonant (MSR represents Monster)
• Initial, middle, final consonant and vowel place holder (MESTR)
STAGE 8
Conventional spelling (MONSTER)
Random Scribbling
Score of 1
Beginning
scribbling; random
scribbling; marks
often connected as
though the “crayon”
did not leave the
paper.
Controlled Scribbling
Score of 2
Controlled scribbling;
certain marks (such as
vertical marks or dots)
repeated; ovals
common; marks are
unconnected.
Repetition of Specific Lines
and Shapes
Score of 3
Practicing Letters
Score of 4
Children are usually
most interested in the
letters in their names.
Written Name
Score of 5
Copy Words in the
Environment
Score of 6
These words were
on a chart posted
on the wall. They had
been discussing the
letter “S.”
Invented Spelling
Score of 7
This kindergarten
child has used initial
consonants (I for
love) and initial,
middle, and final
consonants to
represent a word
(DNS) dinosaurs.
Conventional Spelling
Score of 8
Independent
attempts to isolate
letters and code
them correctly into
whole words.