Tips for Parents to Encourage Writing
(1999)
- Share your own writing. Show your child personal, business, and consumer letters you write as well as receive.
- Organize a chalkboard or bulletin board for written messages for all family members.
- Involve your child in family writing activities such as making shopping lists, instructions for babysitters, directions for visitors to your house, plans for birthday parties, and notes for school.
- Have your child write thank-you letters for gifts.
- Encourage your child to write and draw cards to send to relatives and friends for birthdays and holidays.
- Promote letter-writing of all kinds, such as notes to the tooth fairy or pen pals.
- Suggest special writing projects. Your child can make yard sale signs, posters for his or her room; or keep a diary, journal, or a vacation notebook.
- Point out a writing error now and then. Let your child correct it. Be sure not to over criticize.
- Remember that good writing means more than "correctness." Focus on the meaning more than the mechanics.
- Be patient. Writing develops slowly with practice.