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The building blocks of writing: Learning to write letters and spell words

Reading and Writing volume 21, pages 27–47 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

This study examined the development of beginning writing skills in kindergarten and the relationship between early writing skills and early reading skills. Sixty children were assessed on beginning writing skills (including letter writing, individual sound spelling, and real and nonsense word spelling) and beginning reading skills (including letter name and letter sound knowledge, global early reading ability, phonological awareness, and word reading). Children’s beginning writing abilities are described, and they exhibited a range of proficiency in their ability to write letters, spell sounds, and spell real and nonsense words. Global early reading proficiency, phonological awareness, and/or letter sound fluency predicted letter writing, sound spelling, and spelling of real and nonsense words.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education Willard Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Kristen D. Ritchey

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  1. Kristen D. Ritchey
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Correspondence to Kristen D. Ritchey.

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Appreciation is expressed to the participating students and teachers at Dwight D. Eisenhower School and to Margaret Boudreau and Joan Foley for assistance in scoring students’ responses.

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Ritchey, K.D. The building blocks of writing: Learning to write letters and spell words. Read Writ 21, 27–47 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-007-9063-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-007-9063-0

Keywords

  • Letter writing
  • Spelling
  • Writing and reading relationship
  • Early writing