Writing Development

Good instruction and assessment must deal not only with the products of writing but also its strategic processes (Barr 2007). If as teachers we want to carry out good assessment, we must understand the developmental stages of the process.Researchers suggest that 'learning to write in an environment that supports early learning, proceeds through three typical stages'(Barr 2007).

The stages are:
1. The Emergent Writer
2. The Beginner
3. The Developing Writer

It is important to note that the classroom should be a print-rich environment which promotes early writing development.Some of our students were not exposed to much print in their early development. These student can be helped with guidance and support from teachers who take the time to diagnose and assess their needs as readers and writers.