How to Help Your Child Cultivate a Desire to Write
From the time I knew how to write, I loved it.
It is no wonder now that I am going to begin a graduate program in creative writing next fall.
For me, it has always been about imagination, creativity, and stress relief.
But for some children, it is much more difficult for them to become engaged in writing.
If that sounds like your child, you may be feeling frustrated or even hopeless.
There are countless factors that may contribute to your child's aversion to writing, and it is certainly vital to discover these root causes.
If your child is in school, take time to discuss the possibilities and potential solutions with their teacher.
But after addressing some of these issues, you may want to implement a few of these suggestions for helping your child develop a deep love of and appreciation for writing.
First, purchase them a journal, diary, or notebook.
You can have them pick it out or you may choose one as a gift.
Try to get something unique, attractive, and durable.
A leather journal often fulfills all of these requirements.
I have one that I selected as a teenager that is perfectly intact after more than six years.
You might want to get them some fun or unique writing utensils to go along with their new journal.
Particularly for young children, this will help them want to use this new, special pens and pencils - hopefully by writing! Then, encourage them to write their thoughts - even if they start with, "I hate writing, and I wish Mom wasn't making me do this," that is a start.
Let them know that they are free to write what they want in this journal, and that it will remain private, so they don't have to be embarrassed or concerned over making sure their spelling, grammar, and punctuation are all correct.
The important part of this encouragement is your honesty.
It can be mighty tempting to take a peek when your child is not around, but I can guarantee that nothing will lose your child's trust quicker or for longer.
Allow your child to tap into their own imagination.
As I mentioned earlier, it was my own imagination that propelled me into writing, but many children need some persuasion to explore this avenue of writing.
Consider giving them prompts that feature them as the main character.
A healthy love of reading is typically intertwined with a constant itch to write.
If your son or daughter has not connected with particular books, then help them to find ones they like.
Take time to read to (or with--depending on their age) them frequently.
Pick something from a new genre regularly so that they can develop their own personal tastes.
Your child may never go on to pursue graduate studies in creative writing like I am, but a desire to write and an ability to express oneself in words is a valuable skill in almost any field.
And it will certainly be best cultivated early in life.
It is no wonder now that I am going to begin a graduate program in creative writing next fall.
For me, it has always been about imagination, creativity, and stress relief.
But for some children, it is much more difficult for them to become engaged in writing.
If that sounds like your child, you may be feeling frustrated or even hopeless.
There are countless factors that may contribute to your child's aversion to writing, and it is certainly vital to discover these root causes.
If your child is in school, take time to discuss the possibilities and potential solutions with their teacher.
But after addressing some of these issues, you may want to implement a few of these suggestions for helping your child develop a deep love of and appreciation for writing.
First, purchase them a journal, diary, or notebook.
You can have them pick it out or you may choose one as a gift.
Try to get something unique, attractive, and durable.
A leather journal often fulfills all of these requirements.
I have one that I selected as a teenager that is perfectly intact after more than six years.
You might want to get them some fun or unique writing utensils to go along with their new journal.
Particularly for young children, this will help them want to use this new, special pens and pencils - hopefully by writing! Then, encourage them to write their thoughts - even if they start with, "I hate writing, and I wish Mom wasn't making me do this," that is a start.
Let them know that they are free to write what they want in this journal, and that it will remain private, so they don't have to be embarrassed or concerned over making sure their spelling, grammar, and punctuation are all correct.
The important part of this encouragement is your honesty.
It can be mighty tempting to take a peek when your child is not around, but I can guarantee that nothing will lose your child's trust quicker or for longer.
Allow your child to tap into their own imagination.
As I mentioned earlier, it was my own imagination that propelled me into writing, but many children need some persuasion to explore this avenue of writing.
Consider giving them prompts that feature them as the main character.
A healthy love of reading is typically intertwined with a constant itch to write.
If your son or daughter has not connected with particular books, then help them to find ones they like.
Take time to read to (or with--depending on their age) them frequently.
Pick something from a new genre regularly so that they can develop their own personal tastes.
Your child may never go on to pursue graduate studies in creative writing like I am, but a desire to write and an ability to express oneself in words is a valuable skill in almost any field.
And it will certainly be best cultivated early in life.