Ways to Develop Your Child's Creative Writing Skills

The development of good writing skills is critical for children not only because it greatly fosters their success in school, but also because it will provide them with a valuable tool that will help them excel professionally as an adult. Additionally, it provides children with a way to communicate their thoughts and feelings and also provides them with a way to be creative.

Here are a few ways you can help your child develop or improve upon his or her creative writing skills...

Make Time

Writing takes time. So, ensure your child has the time to relax, unwind and contemplate his/her writing.

Make Space

Make sure your child has an adequate writing surface (e.g. table, desk) in an area that is free from distractions, along with the necessary tools (e.g. pencil, notebook).

Provide Inspiration

Good readers make better writers, as reading introduces children to different topics and writing styles. Therefore, one of the best ways to provide inspiration for writing is by reading with your child. Asking your child questions about what was read allows him/her to develop a better understanding of writing structure and also gets the creative juices flowing!

Encourage Creativity

Encourage your child to “think outside of the box”. Don’t focus too much on grammar and spelling, but instead, encourage the creative process. While editing is certainly necessary to develop good writing skills, it’s important to first lay the groundwork for a supportive environment that encourages creativity.

Connect Writing with Your Child’s Interests

If your child is interested in baseball, encourage him/her to write a story about a favorite player. Or if your child is interested in a particular television show, suggest that he/she write about a favorite episode or even make one up.

Being a Good Role Model

Finally, demonstrating the importance of both reading and writing by doing both in front of your child on a regular basis will serve as powerful way to develop his/her creative writing skills.

References: Schlauch, K. (2016, March 19). 5 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Creative Writing Skills. [Blog post]. Retrieved from: http://www.libertychristianschoolmd.com/blog/page/2