A new scale for the assessment of creative writing in young children is introduced in this thesis. Using scored writing samples from 291 primary grade children, an initial analysis of the scale's psychometric properties was conducted. Item analyses revealed that the CSEWE and its subscales met reasonable standards of validity and reliability. Subsequently, the scale was used to study writing development in children (Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2), in relation to the acquisition of basic literacy skills. The results provided evidence that the variation in emergent forms of written expression reflect a progression in terms of writing and reading acquisition. Moreover, several aspects of writing skill (including spelling, use of conventions, and content) were found to predict basic literacy achievement the same year, and in some cases, the following year. The implications of these results with respect to literacy assessment and instruction are discussed.