| Writing is an essential means of communication that | | | | the stage where they can write, have them write a |
| impacts every aspect of our lives. We write grocery | | | | sentence or two about each drawing. |
| lists, notes, directions, resumes, letters, and the list | | | | 3. Encourage your older children to keep journals, as |
| goes on and on. Children in the early stages of their | | | | this is an excellent outlet for them to express their |
| development are eager to write. As they get older, | | | | inner feelings and emotions. If they are willing to |
| however, this enthusiam dwindles and they | | | | share their entries with you, utilize the opportunity to |
| become less interested in the subject. | | | | read and discuss what is written. You would be |
| In the classroom, educators use a writing process | | | | surprised at how much you can learn about your |
| that is complex and systematic. It involves a number | | | | children just by reading their journals. People in |
| of steps that begins with the prewriting stage where | | | | general usually feel more comfortable putting their |
| students are required to brainstorm and generate | | | | thoughts on paper as opposed to verbalizing them. |
| new ideas, and culminates with the publishing stage | | | | 4. Suggest that your children write thank-you notes |
| where students write their final copy for publication. | | | | and letters of invitation. When they are away from |
| Publication can be in the form of sharing the piece | | | | home, encourage them to write postcards to friends, |
| with the class or displaying it on one of the school's | | | | relatives, etc. |
| bulletin boards. In any case, the final copy is usually | | | | 5. After a trip to a place of interest, have your |
| free of errors, as it is an improved version of the | | | | children write a paragraph or two about their |
| final draft. Organization and clarification are two critical | | | | experiences. Having a discussion prior to writing will |
| components of the writing process. It is vital for | | | | refresh their memories and is considered a |
| students to organize their thoughts in a logical | | | | brainstorming technique. |
| sequence, and clarify what they write. In order to | | | | 6. Suggest that your children write goals and how |
| better assist children at home, parents need to | | | | they plan to accomplish them. You could also |
| familiarize themselves with this process. | | | | participate in this activity by writing some of your |
| Writing should be enjoyable for children. Making it fun | | | | own goals with them. It is important for you to |
| will ignite in them an enthusiasm for the subject. It | | | | demonstrate an interest in writing, as children need to |
| should be presented to them in such a way that | | | | know that you are interested in what they do. |
| they are able to perceive the connection between | | | | 7. Have children help you with writing grocery lists, |
| writing and real life experiences. In this way, writing | | | | directions, and instructions. After baking a cake |
| will be more meaningful, and children will develop a | | | | together, moms could have daughters write |
| greater appreciation for it. | | | | instructions on how to bake a cake. Dads could have |
| As an educator for over 23 years, one of the | | | | sons write instructions on how to build a bird house |
| questions that I am frequently confronted with is: | | | | after constructing one together. |
| How can I help to improve my child's writing skills at | | | | 8. Studies have shown that children who are avid |
| home? Below are some startegies that parents can | | | | readers are not only better readers, but they are |
| implement to facilitate the development of good | | | | also better writers. Therefore, it is essential to |
| writing skills in their children: | | | | encourage your children to read at home. What is |
| 1. First of all, ensure that all materials that are needed | | | | equally important is for you to read a variety of |
| for writing such as lead pencils, markers, colored | | | | age-appropriate literature to them, identifying |
| pencils, and paper are readily available to your | | | | unfamiliar words and clarifying the meaning of each |
| children. | | | | one as you read. Make sure that you choose |
| 2. Younger children in particular are fascinated with | | | | books that not only interest you, but interest them |
| drawing. Encourage them to do so. Then ask | | | | as well. This exposure will give them insight into how |
| questions about the drawings. "That's a beautiful | | | | effective writers organize their thoughts and utilize |
| drawing. What is the girl doing?" "Why is the boy | | | | details and elaboration. This will also help to fortify |
| crying?" "Can you tell me what is happening in the | | | | their vocabulary skills. |
| picture?" Use each drawing as a stimulus for writing. | | | | Children will not become prolific writers overnight. Like |
| Be careful NOT to use negative words, but words of | | | | reading, writing takes time, so parents need to |
| encouragement and praise. Find something positive to | | | | exercise patience. Implementing these activities at |
| say about each drawing. If the drawing is colorful, let | | | | home consistently will ensure that children develop |
| your children know that. Negative words can totally | | | | good writing skills that will last a lifetime. |
| destroy children's interest in writing. If they are at | | | | |