Journey to Becoming a Writer: Review of Research about Children’s Identities as Writers

Abstract

The beginning years of school are crucial to children’s early development as writers. As children learn to write, they transform themselves. This review of literature focuses on children’s journeys to becoming writers through a range of qualitative research studies. These studies identify how children who are beginning to write in extended ways and to construct their identities as writers are often constrained in classroom contexts, particularly within a larger climate of standardized assessment. The ways in which writing practices (including classroom relationships and assessment practices) contribute to children’s development as writers and possibilities for transformed practice are discussed.