4 Ways to Champion Writing Success in Pre-K

Welcome

Composition writing is prose, using sentences and paragraphs to communicate. Children write compositions for different purposes: to express opinions, give information or tell a story. Students who have strong composition writing abilities are confident communicators.

But how do young students prepare for the demands of composition writing? Years before children write, they’re developing social communication and literacy and language skills. Writing readiness and handwriting instruction is critical to the production of creative and well-written text affecting both fluency and the quality of composition (Graham & Harris, 2005).

To champion composition writing success, use these four helpful ways to further develop foundational cognitive and handwriting skills.

1. Teach language concepts and social skills with the Sound Around Box™, which uses multisensory play such as rhymes, word hunts, and memory games to boost letter recognition.
    
2. Use Mat Man™ to maximize learning and teach students how to draw a person, supporting school readiness, cognitive ability, body awareness, and pre-writing capabilities.
    
3. Develop social emotional skills by incorporating activities that focus on sharing and taking turns.
    
4. Use our songs and music albums to build cognitive skills such as thinking, counting, and reading.

Get Set for School develops the cognitive and handwriting skills that young learners need for future writing success.

Educational Edge: Quick Tips for Planning and Implementing Instruction

Music develops more than just cognitive skills! Incorporate music into your lessons to reinforce social, language, memory, and coordination skills too! 

Meets & Greets

Language arts composition isn’t just practiced in black marble notebooks anymore. As digital programs become stronger and more dynamic in the school system, it is more crucial than ever for elementary students to practice composing well-written sentences and paragraphs in digital form.Language arts composition isn’t just practiced in black marble notebooks anymore. As digital programs become stronger and more dynamic in the school system, it is more crucial than ever for elementary students to practice composing well-written sentences and paragraphs in digital form.

Consider asking about:

• Important people in the child's life
• Something new the child has recently learned
• The child's likes and dislikes
• The child's personality at home
• The child's extracurricular activities
• Things that are a challenge for the child

The child's family is there to get to know you, the classroom, and the school. You might want to share information about:

• The daily schedule
• What the child will learn
• Things the child can work on at home
• Classroom supplies
• Volunteer opportunities
• School calendars and procedures

Conferences

Parent-teaches conferences are usually scheduled after school has been in session for at least a few weaks. These meetings are a time to share thoughts, observations, and goals. Although conferences are a great opportunity to discuss the student's progress, be sure to address issues as the come up in the school year - not just during the conference. This makes the time together more productive. During conferences, teachers and families typically discuss:

• The child's work (may be in the form of a portfolio)
• Assesments of observations
• Emerging skills
• Strengths
• Socialization
• Ideas for home
• Previously communicated concerns

Remember, conferences are short and focues. If you need more than fifteen to twenty minutes to address everything, consider setting up an additional meeting with your student's family.

*Note: Be considerate of families that are new to the community, come from antoher culture, or do not speak fluent English. They may feel overwhelmed by the idea of participating in a Meet & Greet or conference with their child's teacher. Consider bilingual invitations, offer child care, or arrange for an interpreter to minimize language barriers and encourage family attendance.