What is the first stage in the 5 Stages of Spelling Development?

The first stage in the 5 Stages of Spelling Development is known as the Pre-Communicative stage. This stage typically involves early writers who are beginning to represent language with written symbols but have not yet learned the conventional letter-sound relationships or spelling rules. At this stage, children may use random letters or marks to communicate, often trying to mimic writing without an understanding of what letters actually represent or how they connect to spoken language.

During the Pre-Communicative stage, children are exploring the concept of writing as a means of communication and learning about the form and function of written language. This foundational stage is crucial because it allows children to experiment with mark-making and eventually leads them towards more structured writing as they become aware of phonetic sounds and begin to develop a clearer understanding of how letters correspond to sounds. The focus during this stage is on the process of developing a literacy identity rather than on correctness or adherence to spelling norms, which sets the groundwork for their future spelling development.