What is often one of the last elements of literacy to develop?

Written communication is often one of the last elements of literacy to develop because it requires a higher level of cognitive processing compared to other literacy skills. While children typically begin developing oral skills and basic vocabulary early in their educational journey, and reading comprehension skills often follow as they gain familiarity with text, written communication involves complex skills such as organizing thoughts, applying grammar rules, and understanding audience and purpose.

Effective written communication demands not only the ability to express ideas clearly but also an understanding of different styles and formats, which can take considerable time and practice to master. Therefore, as students progress through their education, they refine their written communication abilities later compared to their development of oral language skills, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.