Functional writing

Young children are just beginning to make the connection between the written word, and the act of learning information. Providing opportunities for functional writing, writing that serves a real purpose in their daily lives, supports this understanding. Naomi, Alison, and Becca were creating a restaurant, complete with every menu item dreamed of by their classmates and teachers. Clipboards in hand, they wrote and drew their customers' orders, read from their lists as they prepared the plates, and referred back to them as they delivered the meals. It was clear that Naomi, Alison, and Becca had carefully observed waitresses and had seen them using writing to remember and communicate. By providing the clip boards and encouragement to try out this writing at school, the children take one more step toward becoming confident and competent writers.