WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:08.742 ♪ ♪ 2 00:00:08.808 --> 00:00:11.745 Narrator: Most young children enjoy the process of writing. 3 00:00:11.811 --> 00:00:14.748 Early writing is a strong predictor of children's 4 00:00:14.814 --> 00:00:17.317 reading success in later years. 5 00:00:17.384 --> 00:00:20.120 It is a foundational literacy skill that develops 6 00:00:20.186 --> 00:00:23.423 understanding of print concepts, alphabet knowledge, 7 00:00:23.490 --> 00:00:25.558 and sounds in language. 8 00:00:25.625 --> 00:00:28.428 Ginger Watkins: Down, across. Down, across. 9 00:00:28.495 --> 00:00:30.163 Do you have the word cat? 10 00:00:30.230 --> 00:00:32.999 We want our boys and girls to see themselves as readers 11 00:00:33.066 --> 00:00:35.635 and writers from the very start. 12 00:00:35.702 --> 00:00:39.372 In early years, seeing yourself as a writer means pictures. 13 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:41.941 Pictures are the way that kindergarteners express 14 00:00:42.008 --> 00:00:43.877 their ideas and their messages. 15 00:00:43.943 --> 00:00:45.945 It's the very beginning of writing. 16 00:00:46.012 --> 00:00:49.115 Narrator: Drawing is how a child writes in the early years. 17 00:00:49.182 --> 00:00:52.118 Drawing pictures and copying letters and numbers 18 00:00:52.185 --> 00:00:55.555 lead to children using writing for a variety of purposes. 19 00:00:55.622 --> 00:00:58.958 Want to help draw out your child's skills in this area? 20 00:00:59.025 --> 00:01:01.694 Visit the family activities section below 21 00:01:01.761 --> 00:01:05.698 for a list of ideas on what you can do with your child at home. 22 00:01:05.765 --> 00:01:11.337 ♪ ♪