Pre-K Writing Center

The writing center is a space in the classroom where children can explore writing through various activities, while fostering early literacy skills and a love for writing. This center helps children develop of fine motor skills, letter recognition, and early writing skills in a fun and engaging way. 

In the writing center, children can work at their own pace and make choices about what they want to write, fostering a sense of independence and confidence.

Writing activities help children understand the importance of written communication and its role in sharing ideas and information.

What’s in the Pre-K Writing Center

Writing Instruments

It’s fun to sort these by color in clear cups. Here are some writing instrument ideas:

• Flair pens are some of the best pens for young children to write with because it doesn’t matter what angle they hold the pen, it will still write for them. They have the most durable tip, so they also are less likely to damage the tip by pressing too hard.
• Thin markers (skinny markers)
• Colored pencils (These are Twistable colored pencils in the photo below)
• Regular pencils (I recommend the Tri-Write Ticonderoga)
• Novelty pens (My students loved using these dinosaur, lizard, and alligator pens)

Paper (Colored and White)

Include colored and white paper for children to write on. Since colored paper typically costs more, you can cut the sheets in half. Also try asking print shops if they will donate scraps. You can get some great paper that way.

Types of paper to include: Lined, unlined, colored, newsprint, tracing, story paper, index cards, graph paper, journals, message pads, card stock, composition books, blank books (paper folded over and stapled)

Envelopes

Including envelopes is fun for children to make pictures for family and friends and put inside the envelopes. It is not necessary to buy envelopes– simply collect junk mail envelopes. Ask parents and friends to collect these as well.

Letter Stencils (Uppercase and Lowercase)

Add letter stencils for children to trace. It’s also fun to add picture stencils, and you can often find these to match holidays and themes.

Stapler and Tape

Add a stapler and tape to the center for children to make their own books. Be sure to teach them how to safely use these first.

Dry Erase Boards

Dry erase boards allows children to practice writing without worrying about mistakes, which makes these great for preschoolers.

Be sure to teach them to place caps on the back while using them, and place the cap to close it when finished. Crayola also makes dry erase markers and crayons.

Pieces of felt or socks work great for dry erasers!

Name Cards

Every preschool writing center must have name cards! Each child’s name is written on a card with their photo. Place each child’s card in a pocket chart to hang near the writing center. Children can take these out of the pocket chart to write a friend’s name, then place them back in when finished.

Picture-Word Cards

Children love to copy picture word cards onto their paper. Add picture word cards for common words children might use and/or words that go with your current topic of study.

You can hook cards on rings to hang near the Writing Center on hooks (the 3M sticky hooks work great), or you can place the cards in a pocket chart.

The cards below are displayed for children in a pocket chart:

The cards below are grouped by topic on rings: clothing, nature, vehicles, food, animals, shapes, colors, numbers.

Letter Stickers

Add letter stickers for children to stick onto paper. They can use them to spell names or spell words using the picture-word cards, or they can use them in a variety of ways. You can purchase foam letter stickers, or make your own by copying the printable letter tiles from the alphabet printables page.

Stamps

Add rubber stamps and ink pads for children to decorate their writings and mail. Sets can often be found to match themes and holidays.

Magna Doodles

We have special cards that fit on these Magna Doodles for children to trace letters.

Writing Center Printables

You can add some interesting greeting cards, postcards, and make your own letter “stickers” to add some fun to the center. Get the free Writing Center printables here!

More Materials for the Writing Center

*See how to make Sensory Writing Trays and Tactile Letters here!

Writing Centers for Themes & Seasons

These Writing Center Printables are available in my shop:

Write the Room

Have clipboards available that children can use to carry around with them if they want to write things they see around the room. Read more about Write the Room and get free printables here!

Want to see more Pre-K Centers? See All Pre-K Centers Here