#CreativeWritingforPrimary#WritingSupport#BetterWriters
For many students, today is the last day of school for this term. While many of them are looking for a break, there are a few things parents can do to keep them practicing writing skills without it feeling like homework.
Here are my top five suggestions.
These can also be implemented during the term for maximum benefit.
1. Have conversations with your child.
One of the challenges young writers have, is that they’re not sure how to express themselves effectively. Conversations about a variety of topics is a great way to start working on that. Ask lots of questions and give your child time to respond. Ask them what they think and listen to their ideas. Then help them with vocabulary and expressions from time to time in order to expand what they know.
2. Watch Movies and Shows.
Stories are stories, whether they’re in books or on the screen. So, watching movies with your child is a great way for them to observe storytelling and learn a few things. At the very least, they will have ideas they can draw from to supplement their writing.
3. Explore Your Senses.
Descriptive language is at its most beautiful when it includes imagery. Similes and metaphors are cool, but imagery is king when it comes to vivid descriptions. However, many people aren’t as observant as they could be when it comes to describing how they experience the world around them. So, encourage your child to describe their experiences, in detail. What do they See? Smell? Taste? Touch, Hear? How do they feel? How do things move? Provide them with vocabulary and expressions to help them along the way.
4. Read. Read. Read.
It would be terrible if I didn’t mention reading. If your child loves to read, discuss what they’ve read. If your child doesn’t like to read, try introducing them to comic books, manga, and even picture books. These are available for every age and are great transitions into the written word. The key is to engage your child with what they’re reading. Don’t just leave them on their own. Ask their opinions about the stories, characters, setting, everything in the book. Have them tell you bits of the story and compare it with their own experiences. What would they do if in the character’s place?
5. Journal often.
This is often overlooked, but great writers didn’t start out that way. All of them wrote and wrote and wrote. Whether they wrote several sentences and paragraphs or just words and phrases here and there, writers write all the time. Encourage your child to keep a journal. A guided journal is best so that they don’t have to wonder what to write every day. This type of writing should be free. As long as they write a few words, that’s fine. Just encourage them along the way. Sit with them and journal too, that’s the best way.These points were abbreviated, so if you want any more details about either of these five tips, drop me a message and I’ll be happy to explain further.
