There is a strong connection between reading and writing. Your child should be learning to write at the same time he is learning to read. It is important for a child to understand that writing is simply "talk" written down with letters on paper, and those letters can be returned to "talk" through reading. This is a continuous cycle, also known as the reciprocity of reading and writing.

Your child will go through stages of writing, from those early scribbles to making letter-like marks and random alphabet letters. As your child learns the sounds that letters represent, he will begin to sound out words and use invented spelling in his writing. He will probably be able to read the words he has written to you. Later he will learn and use conventional spelling. As a child becomes a better reader, he becomes a better writer. The reverse is also true – his writing progress will help him in his reading.

Start supporting the writing process with these easy tips.

Help your child learn to print her name. Children are fascinated with learning to print their own names. Explain to your child that the first letter of a name is a capital letter, and the others are "lowercase" or small letters. Here are a few games or activities that you can play with your child to help her learn to print her name.

Use a yellow highlighter to print your child's name. Then have her trace the letters with a dark crayon or a marker.

Print the letters of your child's name in dotted form. Let her use a crayon or marker to connect the dots.

Let your child use a flat tipped paintbrush and a bucket of water to "paint" her name on the sidewalk. Sidewalk printing can also be done with coloured chalk.

There are many opportunities in a normal day to help your child understand that writing is part of every day life. A child loves to mimic parents. When you write, give your child a sheet of paper and let her write too. The following activities are appropriate regardless of your child's writing stage.

Make lists.

Both you and your child write a "to do" list for the day.

Both you and your child write a grocery list. Your child can look at containers in the cupboard and copy the labels.

Plan a birthday party and write a list of the items you'll need, as well as wish lists for gifts.

Write a list of materials you will need for a project, such as planting a vegetable garden.

Together make an address book of friends and family members.

Dictation.

Ask your child to draw a picture to send to a grandparent. It could be about something you did that day, such as baking brownies.

When he is finished drawing, ask him to tell you about the picture. If he gives you a long story (more than one or two sentences), ask him to shorten it. Write down (word for word) exactly what he says. Use printed capital and lowercase letters. Then read the sentence(s) back to your child.

Translation.

When your child writes, you may want to "translate" the sentence. In other words, write the message under the squiggly lines or invented spellings. Ask your child first before you write on his paper.

Most importantly, as you read and write alongside of your child, use conversation to make the connections between reading and writing.

E-mail: literacymatters@logic.bm