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Working with Children’s Names, Stages of Name Writing

Working with Children’s Names    

Young children love their names. It is often the first written print that they identify with, and the first word they learn to write. All Writing Centers should be equipped with children’s names; initially with pictures, so that they can begin to identify their own and peers’ names in print.

child writing her name

Children’s names are a vehicle for letter and phonics teaching and learning. When teachers engage in public writing they will often begin writing a word and hear a child say “that’s my name!” as they write a singular letter. This is a teaching moment to acknowledge that the letter starts the child’s name. Children should engage in many opportunities to manipulate the letters in their names, while teachers help them identify the sounds each letter makes.

images of different ways to show children's names

Stages of Name Writing

Children benefit from many opportunities to trace their name before they are expected to write it independently. When children do begin writing their names independently, they should be given a model to copy from.

chart showing stages of name writing

Year-Long Trajectory

The Year-Long Trajectory is your scope and sequence for learning experiences across the year.