4 TIPS FOR RAISING A GOOD WRITER
11 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
by Kara Murphy
Good writing skills help your child in school and on the job, but they also foster creativity. Knowing how to write well provides your child with a fun, creative way of conveying thoughts, feelings, and views.
Becoming a good writer takes time and practice, so start nurturing your child’s writing abilities with these simple tips.
Encourage reading. Reading and writing go hand-in-hand as the basic fundamentals of learning. Reading on a regular basis will provide your child with the knowledge, vocabulary skills, and inspiration she needs to become a good writer.
Keep plenty of books and magazines around your home in plain view. Place them in unexpected places, such as on top of the television or on the kitchen table, to spark your child’s curiosity. Also, make sure her own books are organized and easy to find.
Make family visits to the library or give your child a book allowance to purchase one paperback book or magazine per week.
Set up a writing space in your home. If your child has to hunt for a clear surface to write on, or materials to write with, he may lose interest quickly. Provide him with a desk or table that has a flat, tidy surface and good lighting. Also, make writing materials–paper, pens, pencils, and crayons–easily accessible. Other helpful writing tools include a style guide, such as The Elements of Style, Fourth Ed., by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White (great as a quick reference to punctuation and grammar rules), a dictionary, and a thesaurus.
Incorporate writing into daily activities. Prompt your child to write on a daily basis. Suggest she write letters to relatives and friends or correspond with a pen pal (often this can be arranged through your child’s school). Keeping a journal also is a good idea. It will give your child an outlet for expression as well as good writing practice. Visit www.educate.com/activities and download Sylvan Learning Center’s free online writing journal. For older children, suggest that they write letters to the editor of your local newspaper.
Give your child positive feedback. Although it is a good idea to point out glaring grammar and spelling errors, it is usually wise to avoid focusing on minor mistakes, especially with younger children. Your goal is to motivate, not to discourage your child. Focus more on the content of his writing–the ideas he is trying to convey–and respond to them. Ask questions and make positive remarks to show your child that you are interested in what he is writing.
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