Developmental Writing Stages of Children

 Stages of Writing Development

Stage	Example
Preliterate: Drawing uses drawing to stand for writing believes that drawings / writing is communication of a purposeful message read their drawings as if there were writing on them
Preliterate: Scribbling scribbles but intends it as writing scribbling resembles writing holds and uses pencil like an adult
Early Emergent: Letter-like forms shapes in writing actually resemble letters shapes are not actually letters look like poorly formed letters, but are unique creations
Emergent: Random-letters or letter strings uses letter sequences perhaps learned from his/her name may write the same letters in many ways long strings of letters in random order
Transitional: Writing via invented spelling creates own spelling when conventional spelling is not known one letter may represent an entire syllable words may overlay may not use proper spacing as writing matures, more words are spelled conventionally as writing matures, perhaps only one or two letters invented or omitted
Fluency: Conventional spelling usually resembles adult writing

Here's a great website with more information about early writing:

http://destinationkindergarten.blogspot.com/2010/10/can-play-dough-help-my-child-be-better.html