I am learning to write but we don't get time to draw at school

Learning how to write is more important than ever before, and getting students off to a good start is
essential to later success. For many children early drawing and talking experiences signal the start of their
journey towards becoming literate. The statement in the title was made by a child who had been at school
for just 5 weeks. He loved to draw and would spend time every day drawing at home. He was disappointed
that something he loved to do was not valued at the big school he had been looking forward to attending.
Data informing this presentation come from a range of research projects conducted between 2007 and
2017. Co-researchers have included teachers, early childhood educators, education consultants and many
children. Using exemplars from children the presentation will illustrate the important links between drawing,
talking and early writing and demonstrate how young children's drawings and spoken language can be
used by teachers as a natural scaffold as they learn about written English language conventions. While this
is a research presentation, there will be practical take home advice for both Early Childhood Educators and
Early Years teachers.