What are Pre-writing skills?
- The fundamental skills children need to develop before they are able to write. These skills contribute to the child’s ability to hold and use a pencil, and the ability to draw, write, copy, and color.
- A major component of pre-writing skills are the pre-writing shapes and strokes. These are the pencil strokes that most letters, numbers and early drawings are comprised of.
- Pre-writing sequence:
- Scribble
- Imitate objects
- Copy objects
- 1-2 years old
- Can imitate scribbling
- 2 years 10 months
- Can draw a vertical line
- 3 years old
- Can draw a horizontal line
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- Can draw a complete circle
- 4 years 1 month
- Can draw a cross
- 4 years 4 months
- Can draw a diagonal line from right to left
- 4 years 6 months
- Can draw a square
- 4 years 7 months
- Can draw a diagonal line from left to right
- 4 years 11 months
- Can draw an X-shape
- 5 years 3 months
- Can draw a triangle
- Between ages 4-6 years old, a child is able to imitate and copy letters with horizontal and vertical lines such as H, T, L, and E.
- By 5 years old, a child is able to imitate and copy diagonal likes (like a triangle shape) and letters with diagonal lines such as X, K, and R.
