- Drawing, dictating and writing: what kindergarten asks for
- Favourite things prompts (opinion)
- All about me and my world (informative)
- First, then, at the end (story prompts)
- Quick picture and word prompts
- Sentence frames that do the heavy lifting
- How to get better writing out of five-year-olds
- My advice for kindergarten writing time
- Frequently asked questions
Here are 24 kindergarten writing prompts that let five-year-olds draw first and write second. The Common Core expects kindergartners to use a combination of drawing, dictating and writing, so every prompt below works whether a child writes one word, a sentence or tells you the words while you scribe.
A blank page scares a lot of small children, and the fix is simpler than most people think: let the picture carry the story. A kindergartner who draws a dog in the rain and labels it 'wet' has written something. I've grouped these prompts the way kindergarten writing is taught, kept every one short enough to say out loud, and added the sentence frames that get a reluctant writer started.
Drawing, dictating and writing: what kindergarten asks for
The kindergarten writing standards are unusual because they count the picture and the spoken words as part of the writing. That changes how you'll want to use a prompt, and it takes the pressure off children who can't yet form many letters:
| Standard | What a kindergartner does | How to use the prompt |
|---|---|---|
| W.K.1 | Names a topic or book and gives an opinion or preference, for example 'My favorite book is...' | Give a sentence frame and let them finish it |
| W.K.2 | Names what they're writing about and adds some information | Draw it, label it, add one fact |
| W.K.3 | Tells one event or a few linked events in order, with a reaction | Draw two or three boxes: first, then, at the end |
| W.K.6 | With adult help, explores digital tools to publish writing | Type their sentence together or record them reading it |
The bit people miss is the reaction. The narrative standard asks children to say how they felt about what happened, so 'and I was happy' at the end of a story isn't filler, it's the target.
Favourite things prompts (opinion)
Each one has a frame to finish. Read it aloud, let them draw, then help them write or dictate the ending of the sentence.
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My favourite animal is... because... Draw your animal doing something funny.
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The best food in the whole world is... Draw it on a plate.
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My favourite book is... Draw the best page.
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I like rainy days / sunny days best because... Draw yourself outside.
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The best toy to share is... Draw you and a friend playing with it.
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If I could pick our class snack, I'd choose... because...
All about me and my world (informative)
Kindergarten informative writing is naming a topic and saying something about it. A labelled drawing counts, so encourage labels before sentences.
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Draw your family. Label each person and write one thing they like to do.
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Draw your bedroom and label three things in it.
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Draw a bug you have seen. Write one word that tells what it looks like.
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What do you need to brush your teeth? Draw and label each thing.
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Draw the weather today. Write a word for it: sunny, windy, cold or rainy.
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Draw your favourite place in the playground and tell what you do there.
First, then, at the end (story prompts)
Fold a page into three boxes. Children draw what happened first, next and last, then add a word or a sentence under each box and a feeling at the end.
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Tell about a time you were brave. What happened first, then, and how did you feel?
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Draw your morning: getting up, eating breakfast and coming to school.
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A puppy runs into our classroom! What happens first, then, at the end?
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Tell about a day at the park with someone you love.
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You plant a seed. Draw it when you plant it, when it sprouts and when it grows.
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Tell about a time you lost something and found it again. How did you feel?
Quick picture and word prompts
Use these when you have five minutes. One picture and one word or sentence is a full answer at this age.
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Draw something that is red. Write its name.
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Draw what you would see under the sea.
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If you had a magic hat, what would come out of it?
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Draw your friend and write their name.
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Draw the biggest thing you can think of.
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Draw your lunch and write the word yum or yuck.
Sentence frames that do the heavy lifting
Most kindergartners can't hold a whole sentence in their head while they work out letters, so a frame gives them the start and lets them focus on the end. These are the ones I'd stick on the wall: 'I like...', 'I see...', 'I can...', 'My favourite is... because...', 'First I... then I...', and 'I felt...'. Once a child's finishing frames on their own, take one away and see if they can start the sentence themselves. That's the moment they've become a writer, and it's worth making a fuss about.
How to get better writing out of five-year-olds
- Talk it out first. Ask the child to tell you the story, then say 'Let's put that on the page.'
- Accept invented spelling. 'Mi dg is big' shows they hear sounds, which is exactly the skill you want growing.
- Scribe for them sometimes. Dictating is part of the standard, so writing their words down for them still counts.
- Use sentence frames like 'I like...' and 'I see...' until they're confident starting on their own.
- Ask one question about the picture to pull out more detail: 'What is the dog doing?'
If you're looking for more ways to support little ones, my guide to choosing the right tutor for your child covers what to look for, and my piece on helping your kid lead a happy life is a gentle read for tired parents.
My advice for kindergarten writing time
Keep it short, keep it about them, and celebrate the drawing as much as the words. Pick one opinion prompt, one all-about-me prompt and one story prompt each week and you've covered the whole kindergarten standard without a single worksheet.
Frequently asked questions
What should kindergartners be able to write?
Under the Common Core, kindergartners use drawing, dictating and writing together to share an opinion, tell some information about a topic, and tell one event or a few events in order with a reaction.
Does drawing count as writing in kindergarten?
Yes. The kindergarten standards name a combination of drawing, dictating and writing, so a labelled picture is a real piece of writing at this age.
How long should a kindergarten writing piece be?
Often one picture with a word or one sentence. Some children will write two or three sentences by the end of the year, but length isn't the goal.
Should I correct spelling in kindergarten writing?
Not on a first draft. Invented spelling shows a child is matching sounds to letters. Praise the idea first and model the correct spelling gently.
Can kindergartners use tablets for writing?
With adult help, yes. The standards include exploring digital tools to produce and publish writing, such as typing a sentence together.
