Writing is a key part of our daily lives and education. But for many of us, it’s a skill that’s difficult to learn and master. In this technology-driven world, there’s a lack of opportunity for children to practice and improve their ability to write. This poses as a real challenge for today’s parents. Building a child’s writing skills takes a great deal of time and effort. However, it’s not an impossible task to accomplish. There are lots of things parents can do to help build their child’s ability to write. Below are some fun ideas to help your child develop or improve their writing skills in no time.
Read books together
Writing and reading go hand-in-hand. People who speak well are usually those who read well. Not only are they able to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly, they can also understand various writing styles. You can have a teacher or librarian help you select age-appropriate books for your child.
Reading on a regular basis is the first step to helping children improve their ability to write. What’s more, it expands their vocabulary and shows them various ways of using words. With an extensive vocabulary, it’s going to be easier for them to use words in their own writing.
With younger kids, make it a habit to read together everyday and encourage them to love reading as they grow. Children who grow up loving books tend to become strong writers themselves, so start reading together as early as possible!
Provide spelling help once your child is ready
Once your young one begins to learn how to write, he may try different ways to spell words. As a parent or teacher, our job is to encourage the child’s writing. This way, they’ll enjoy putting their ideas and thoughts on paper.
A child may begin to write words based on the way he hears them. For example, he might write “laf” instead of “laugh”, and “Meri” instead of “Mary”. This is a positive start towards developing his phonemic awareness. Just continue practicing with your child, and provide spelling help when you write. Give as much help as they need as they grow up and begin to start asking more questions about spelling.
Reap the benefits of technology in improving a child’s writing skills
Let you and your child take advantage of technology. For example, you can encourage them to create their own blog or publish their own story online. You can also teach them to send e-mails to friends and family.
The Internet is a treasure trove of tools that can help your child build their writing skills. You can also find online tutorials and the best writing services, in case you need further assistance.
Provide space for creativity
If you’re teaching your kids at home, make sure to give them materials and space that encourage creativity. Ideally, it’s a quiet place for learning and doing their homework – away from distractions like television.
Your young one’s creative space for writing should have the following:
- Pen/pencil and paper. Once your kid grows older and has access to a PC, they’ll want to start typing on the computer. You can also encourage them to use a device (like a smartphone or tablet). But before anything else, make sure to have them use a pen and paper. Engaging them to write regularly is a proven-and-tested way to build your child’s ability to write.
- Dictionary. If your child isn’t familiar with a word, have them look it up in a dictionary. Doing so helps them commit to the newly discovered word to memory.
- Thesaurus. Your child will also need this once they start working with synonyms and antonyms. With the help of a thesaurus, your young one’s vocabulary will significantly improve.
Schedule your child’s writing activities
To improve your child’s writing skills, you need to make writing a daily routine. Add the activities to the family’s routine and build it into the daily schedule. Not only does this help your child improve their writing ability, it also helps them gain confidence.
Make sure they always have something to scribble about, like writing their own journal or making a grocery list. Remember: Practice makes perfect!
Your Turn!
Writing takes a LOT of practice so it’s important to get your child started at an early age. At the same time, make sure they don’t get discouraged easily. Get a head-start with the simple activities mentioned above, and give them plenty of opportunities to improve their skills.
Lots of reading and writing, and adding fun activities will all go a long way to boosting your child’s writing ability. And by teaching them how to express themselves, you’re contributing to his future success as an adult.
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