3 Ways to Encourage Writing at Home

Writing at home is an excellent way to show your children how writing can be fun and practical.  Start by thinking about all of the ways writing makes your life easier.  Maybe even make a list of the ways!  Share these with your children and have them help you with it.

Writing doesn’t have to be a story, an autobiography, or a poem even though it can be.  Writing in real life encompasses so much more.  Look at the ways you write daily:  lists of chores, groceries, or errands, for instance.  Involve your children in these activities.  Have them make the lists while you name the foods you need to pick up, places you’ll stop, and chores that must be accomplished before the end of the week.  This is writing for a real purpose.

Thankfulness is not confined to a few times a year.  It’s, also, not just for gifts but for services and kindnesses, too.  Are there notes of thanks which you need to write?  Sit down with your children, and write your letters while they write theirs.  Stumped about who the recipients of your children’s letters could be?  Consider all of the people in their lives who provide for them.  This includes teachers, activity leaders, neighbors.  There’s no one who doesn’t appreciate a kind note.  According to Miss Manners it’s never too late to say thank you.

The new year is the time many people look back at where they have been and forward to where they want to go.  Provide time for your children to explore their own thoughts and feelings.  What are their hopes for 2016?  How might they achieve them?  This could be in the form of a diary or journal.  Then again your children may want to go in a totally different direction and write that alien abduction tale they have been thinking about but haven’t had the opportunity to put down on paper.

Encourage writing of any kind by providing materials and space to write.  Kids and adults can become excited by a new pen, writing paper, or folder for their work.  Ask to read what your children have written.  Don’t worry about the spelling and handwriting (unless they can’t read it).  Try not to flinch when they use improper grammar.  Just let it be fun!

Don’t forget to suggest adding drawing and coloring to their writing activities.  Art helps writers gather their thoughts and add to their written creations.  Graphic novels can be proof of that.

Giving children the time, space, and encouragement to write is usually all they need to get started. Give them a book to read or better yet one for you to read to them, and you give them a world of ideas to spin into their own creations.  What better way to excite your children about reading and writing!

Writing means sharing. It’s part of the human condition to want to share things – thoughts, ideas, opinions.   Paulo Coelho