They’re full of ideas—and they’re pretty opinionated, too. But to get your child to express themselves through writing somehow becomes an excruciating experience. Unlike other subjects that they might learn in school that they might not put into practice as an adult (we’re looking at you, trigonometry), writing is a skill that they’ll use throughout their lifetime. That’s why encouraging your kiddo to put pen to paper is so important. This is how to make writing fun for kids so that you can set the write attitude.
Write To Your Child
If you want your child to write, well, then you should write, too. Thing is, you don’t have to write the next Great American Novel to your 9 year-old. Instead, start small, like putting sweet little notes in their lunchbox or bookbag. You’d be surprised how meaningful it might be and it just might inspire your child to write one to you, too.
And Then, Write With Your Child
You ask your child to write a thank you note to Grandma for their birthday gift and after 20 minutes, they’re still sitting at the table, toying with their No. 2 pencil. So sit down with them to help them get started. You can give them some ideas, and even write out what they want to say on a separate piece of paper. It’s both a bonding moment and a way to start them on their writing journey.
Buy Fun Paper And Pens
Although it’s easier to use plain printer paper or a lined notebook, that’s not exactly going to entice your child to write. Try going to the store and find some fun stationery that your child will love. It might feature their favorite character or a scent that they love, and possibly, just possibly make writing fun for kids.
Set Up A Rewards System
Sure, it’s never a good idea to bribe your babe, but sometimes a parent’s gotta do what they’ve gotta do. Create a chart for your child and agree upon a reward that your child would love. You can even add some stickers for each day that they write. Hopefully, writing will become the actual reward—again, hopefully.
Make The Writing Sesh Short
It can be hard to start something when you feel like it’ll go on forever…like writing. Set a timer so that they know that they won’t be writing for hours on end. Be sure to include breaks if your child needs to do a writing assignment that they’ve been putting off for quite some time, for example..
Go Over Ideas Ahead Of Time
Staring down a blank piece of paper is enough to intimidate anyone. If getting started poses a problem for your kid, try going over what they want to say first. A game plan is a good idea when your child might be struggling with what to say. So if your child is at a loss for words, suggest that they start just by writing anything. Chances are, they’ll see what they’ve written and start editing (and rewriting) their work. Before they know it, their assignment just might be done.
Let Them Draw
Writing doesn’t always consist of consonants and vowels. Drawing can help your kid clarify their thoughts and ideas. They’ll be able to express their feelings and tell a story. Remember, when words fail, drawing can do the trick and make writing fun for kids.
Remind Them That Their Voice Is Important
Your child might not want to write because they feel that they don’t have anything to say. That couldn’t be further from the truth, though. Remind your child that they have a voice that the world needs to hear, and sharing their stories through writing is one way to not only connect with others, but themselves as well.
Assess The Issue
Sometimes, a lackluster attitude towards writing isn’t what you might think. Dysgraphia (a written expression learning disorder) can make getting their thoughts down a challenge. Additionally, ADHD is hard for kids who need to write longer pieces or include more descriptive language, since they can lack focus. So if writing isn’t working out, speak to your pediatrician who can refer your child to a specialist to assess if there is an issue and how to work with it.
Some students start out as reluctant writers and that’s perfectly okay. Writing isn’t always fun for kids; it’s a process that can take time. But while they’ll learn many writing skills in school, it’s always a good idea to help them at home, too. It can make all the difference in encouraging self-expression—and get them to finish that narrative writing assignment, too.