The purpose of this study was to describe how experienced emergent writing teachers supported 4-year-olds in writing their own messages during the learning centers period of the preschool day. Data were drawn from two, year-long qualitative studies of early writing instruction. Adult participants were three researcher-teachers who worked in…

This study investigated 2- and 3-year-olds' personal interests as a possible source of variation in preschool writing activities. Structured observations of the play behaviors of 11 preschool children in a childcare classroom were conducted one to two days per week for one school year. These data were analyzed to determine choices of play…

Investigates the role of social interaction in the literacy learning of three- and four-year-olds. Finds that children's self-selected literacy activities are rich contexts for literacy learning, and that social interaction provides context and motivation for literacy learning, and influences the kinds of literacy strategies children internalize…