What are the four recognized stages of writing development?

The correct stages of writing development include preliterate, emergent, transitional, and fluent.

In the preliterate stage, children engage in activities that help them develop an understanding of writing even before they can write letters or words. This often includes scribbling and experimenting with different writing materials, as they develop fine motor skills and orientation to print.

The emergent stage follows, where children start to understand the basics of writing. At this stage, they begin to use letters and words in their writing, even if their understanding of spelling and grammar isn't fully developed. They might write their names or simple words, relying on invented spelling and symbols.

In the transitional stage, children become more aware of the structure of writing and start to become more fluent in their ability to express ideas. Their writing reflects a greater understanding of sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling.

Finally, in the fluent stage, students demonstrate a high level of competency in writing, showcasing a greater command of vocabulary, grammar, and writing conventions. They can produce more complex and varied pieces of writing and are able to tailor their writing for different audiences and purposes.

These stages represent a progression that is commonly recognized in the field of literacy development, allowing educators to understand where a student's writing skills are and