Writing is a great way for children to develop strong communication skills, but it can be a daunting task. Many adults find a blank page intimidating, so it’s no surprise that the same is true of children, especially those who could use a boost to strengthen writing skills. Use the following tips to help your children overcome their fear of writing to develop strong writing skills.

Learn New Words Daily

Help children to expand their vocabulary by learning new words every day. Engage your children by teaching them words about topics they are interested in. Have them choose their favorite words each day place them in a “word jar”. Make it a habit to go through the words together at the end of every week.

Start Early

Even if a child is too young to write down his own words, they can still
develop storytelling skills. Go places with your child and discuss what they have seen, heard, tasted, felt, etc. Help them learn how to richly describe scenes.

Brainstorm

Work with your child to come up with ideas and topics. Encourage them to share their thoughts about events you went to, places you’ve gone, and even people they’ve seen.

Use Prompts

Help children be creative by using prompts. The prompt can be simple like asking what they’ve observed, what they wonder about, or what they imagine. Simply provide a way for them to begin thinking creatively.

Use Games

There are numerous games and apps that are designed to help young children develop their skills at handwriting, sentence construction, or planning and drafting a story. Smart apps for kids offers a variety of writing apps that are sure to leave children excited to write.

Make a Book

Have your child turn his writing into a book. Use construction paper, ribbon, and crayons to turn your child’s story into his very own book. Encourage him to share his story with the entire family.

Encourage copying

If your child likes a particular song or poem, have her learn the words by writing them down.

Focus on the Positive 

When children first begin writing it’s easy to focus on the negative, but don’t concentrate on spelling mistakes and grammar errors. Instead, praise your child for what she has done right. Is the writing descriptive? Funny? Thoughtful? Pointing out these things will make your child feel proud and will help to foster an interest in writing.

Read Together

Reading and writing go hand-in-hand. The more a child reads, the better she can write and vice versa. Reading will help your child develop vocabulary and gain a better understanding of story structure. 

Want to help your child to become a stronger writer? 

RITES certified teachers work 1-to-1 with students and tailor lessons to your child’s specific needs. Scientifically proven, multisensory approaches keep lessons engaging. Teachers are also easily accessible to parents, so you’ll know exactly how your students are doing and support them in their learning.

 

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