How should a teacher respond to parents concerned about their child's writing skills?

Responding to parents concerned about their child's writing skills should involve reinforcing the importance of writing as an integral part of literacy development. Explaining that letter writing reinforces letter-recognition skills highlights how the act of writing helps children not only practice forming letters but also serves to enhance their understanding of the connection between sounds and symbols. This foundational skill is crucial for developing effective writing abilities and overall literacy.

In contrast, advising against writing letters or suggesting that the focus should solely be on reading skills does not address the value of writing as a complementary skill. Furthermore, while encouraging writing through a computer can be beneficial, it may not emphasize the essential benefits of manual writing and the research supporting traditional pen-and-paper activities in early literacy development. Therefore, underscoring the significance of writing letters offers a balanced and constructive approach to alleviating parents' concerns.