Signing In

Monday 25th June 2018  

Children are interested in their names because they represent who they are. They’re an important part of their identity and children are proud of them. Think of how often they’re asked, “What is your name?” and “How old are you?” It is important for children to hear their own names and see it written down because names are abstract. You can’t touch a name or hold it in your hands; children need lots of opportunities to make connections between themselves and the way their name sounds and looks.

Children’s names are the first words they understand and can identify with, so they connect print with something very meaningful. This leads to an interest in trying to “copy” it by scribbling at first, and then by writing in a more conventional way. There are lots of ways we can use children’s names to encourage their interest in reading and writing. We have set up a sign in table for the children to practice writing their names on arrival, making it a part of our daily routine.

Children’s names and the names of other important people in their lives are usually the first words that they try to write because they see and hear them a lot. Children’s names are usually the first word they “read” and “write” in their own way and that helps them feel powerful and interested in what more they can do and learn. To be able to write, kids need to do many things at once. They need to want to write, they need to hold a pencil/crayon and have enough fine motor control to make the pencil do what they want it to do, they also need to know what the letters look like, and be able to reproduce them.

When writing English, we want the children to begin at the left of the paper and move to the right. (Direction is specific to each language) Then there are other things to consider such as using a capital for the first letter, but lower case letters for the rest as well as trying to write on a line. The expectation that young children will be able to do all these things at once is unrealistic but what we can do is to encourage them in this developmental process is to help them take small steps.  

We can provide materials and lots of opportunities to write. We have provided whiteboard markers for the sign in table so that we can wipe it off and start again. Our craft table includes pencils, markers, crayons and charcoal so they can practice their skills throughout the day. Prior to this, we have simplified the writing process by encouraging children try to write in a salt tray or in shaving cream on a table top. 

We want children to feel proud of any efforts they make, from scribbles to more accurate writing. At the same time, it’s important to let children know that we don’t expect perfection. We have hung all of the children’s work on the windows for display as this helps them to feel like they’ve really accomplished something and that’s a powerful motivator to do more. We are looking forward to seeing how their emerging interest develops over time.