What defines an emergent writing stage?

The emergent writing stage is characterized by the early forms of writing that demonstrate a child's growing awareness of the writing process. At this stage, children might experiment with scribbles, letter-like forms, and sometimes even recognizable letters, showing that they understand writing as a means of communication. They often express their thoughts and ideas, albeit in a rudimentary form, indicating that they are beginning to grasp the concept that written symbols represent sounds and meanings.

This awareness includes mimicking the writing they see in their environment, often embodying the understanding that writing has structure and purpose. The focus is primarily on the expressive aspects of writing, rather than on complex structures or advanced literacy skills, which develop later. In contrast, other options describe characteristics of later writing stages rather than what defines emergent writing, making them less relevant to this foundational stage.