What is a primary focus in the pre-literate stage of writing?

The primary focus in the pre-literate stage of writing is on scribbling and mock letters. During this developmental phase, children engage in spontaneous mark-making, which allows them to explore the concept of writing without the pressure of producing recognizable letters or words. This practice is essential as it helps children develop fine motor skills, understand the representational function of writing, and fosters their early understanding of how written language works.

Scribbling can include random lines, shapes, and eventually evolve into forms that may resemble letters or words, demonstrating that children are beginning to comprehend that writing conveys meaning. This stage is foundational for later literacy development, as it encourages creativity and expression before they learn the formal rules of writing.

Other choices, such as writing full sentences or organizing ideas into drafts, pertain to later stages in writing development where children have already mastered the basics of letter formation and have started to understand sentence structure. Using environmental print refers to children's recognition and understanding of letters and words in their surroundings, which is also an indication of literacy development but is not the main focus during the pre-literate stage.