There are 8 developmental stages of writing that children progress through: 1) scribbling, 2) letter-like symbols, 3) strings of letters, 4) beginning sounds emerge, 5) consonants represent words, 6) initial, medial and final sounds, 7) transitional phrases, and 8) standard spelling. Each stage builds on the previous as children's understanding of letters, sounds, and spelling conventions develop. They progress from random scribbles to writing most words correctly with standard spelling.

2. Developmental Stages of WritingA Brief Overview

3. The StagesThere are 8 basic developmental stages of writing. ScribblingLetter-Like SymbolsStrings of LettersBeginning Sounds EmergeConsonants Represent WordsInitial, Medial and Final SoundsTransitional PhrasesStandard Spelling

4. Stage 1: ScribblingRandom marks on the pageThese marks resemble drawing. They contain large circular patterns.This is how a young writer shows his/her ideas

5. Stage 2: Letter-Like SymbolsThey attempt to make some letters These tend to be randomly placed throughout the pageLetter-like and number-like symbols are scattered together throughout They are able to tell about their drawing at this stage.

6. Stage 3: Strings of LettersThey begin to write some legible letters. They are beginning to understand the letter-sound relationship but are not accurately matching most soundsThey tend to write using capital letters

7. Stage 4: Beginning Sounds EmergeThey begin to understand the differences between letters and words but are not using spacing yet.The message matches the picture and makes sense

8. Stage 5: Consonants Represent Words They begin to use spacesThey mix upper and lower case lettersBegin to use punctuationTheir sentences tell ideas

9. Stage 6: Initial, Medial and Final Sounds They can spell some sight words correctly They may be able to spell sibling’s name and environmental print correctly Other words are spelled how they soundTheir writing becomes readable

10. Stage 7: Transitional PhrasesWriting is readableTheir spelling is becoming more conventional

11. Stage 8: Standard SpellingThey can spell most words correctlyThey are beginning to understand root words, compound words and contractions.This understanding helps them to spell words that are similar

12. Resourceshttp://www.learningtowrite.ecsd.net/stages%20of%20writing.htmhttp://www.isd300.k12.mn.us/ES/kinder/KINDERGARTEN%20INFORMATION/Stages%20of%20Writing.pdfmedia.doe.in.gov/exceptional/.../Developmental_Writing_Stages.doc