Which stage of writing development involves using pictures and symbols to convey ideas?

The prewriting stage of writing development is characterized by the use of pictures and symbols as a means of expressing thoughts and ideas. During this initial phase, young writers often rely on visual representations to communicate their understanding and concepts before they begin to formulate sentences and paragraphs. This stage is crucial for building the foundation of ideas, allowing children to explore their creativity and think about the content they want to convey without the constraints of spelling, grammar, or structure that are more relevant in later stages. Engaging in this form of expression can help to develop their narrative thinking and scaffolding their eventual writing skills as they transition into drafting.