Young Authors Writing Workshop in Kindergarten

• Published in: YC Young Children Vol. 65; no. 1; pp. 24 - 28
• Main Author: Brown, Kathryn M.
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Washington National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 01.01.2010; National Association for the Education of Young Children
• Subjects: Authors; Children; Children & youth; Childrens literature; Creative writing; Illustrations; Journal writing; Kindergarten; Kindergarten education; Learning; Learning through Experience; Literacy Education; Literature; Preschool Teachers; Primary Education; Teaching; Teaching Methods; Writing (Composition); Writing Instruction; Writing teachers; Writing Workshops; Young Children
• ISSN: 1538-6619; 2770-856X; 1941-2002

Good literacy instruction begins with immersing children in diverse texts--educators need to marinate students in literature so that, over time, it soaks into their consciousness and, eventually, into their writing. In this article, the author describes her experiences with a writing workshop for the 5- and 6-year-old children in her class. She provides a detailed description of the children's evolution as writers by illustrating work samples from the young authors. Using the workshop approach in kindergarten, the author has found that approximations and authentic writing experiences are the cornerstones of good writing instruction.