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How to Help Your Child With Their Writing Ability

Family WritingFamily WritingWriting is a part of family lifeTake advantage of writing

experiences at home◦Move your child to higher levels of

literacyWriting is learned best when it

occurs in authentic situations and is used for authentic purposes

Types of WritingTypes of WritingList writingNotesJournals/DiariesDialogue JournalsLettersEmailsBooks

◦Birthdays◦Special Events

List WritingList WritingParents are

always making lists

Encourage children to make their own lists◦ Birthday wishes◦ Christmas list◦ Chores ◦ Top ten lists◦ Any other ideas?

NotesNotesParents write all

kinds of notesEncourage

children to make themselves notes◦ Reminders◦ Note to family

members◦ Jot down thoughts

or observations◦ Other ideas?

Journals or Diaries Journals or Diaries Writing in a journal or

diary is done in an actual book and is often written in daily

A child could use one to summarize their day, or reflect on their day

Journals/diaries make excellent presents and can launch a child into a lifetime of writing and reflection◦ Makes a good writer!

Dialogue JournalsDialogue JournalsA written

communication between two people (parent and child)

Parent can write an entry and child responds and vice versa

Great way for parents and children to develop healthy relationships

LettersLettersEncourage

children to write letters…◦ To family

members◦ To friends◦ To teachers◦ Unlimited options!

EmailsEmailsWritten letters

are becoming more obsolete with the ease of email

Encourage children to write emails to…◦ Family members◦ Friends ◦ Etc.

BooksBooks Families honor birthdays

and special events with presents

A great present idea could be a special book

Use a blank book and have friends and family write a special note or words of encouragement on each page

This is a present that will be treasured forever!

Important Tips!Important Tips!Writing must be authenticDon’t be overly concerned with

spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors

Writing should be a regular family routine

Use a variety of materials for writing◦Fun writing paper◦Writing utensils◦Colored markers/pencils◦Construction paper◦Etc.

Most important – MAKE IT FUN!!!!!!

ReferencesReferencesPadak, N. & Rasinski, T. (2009).

Write soon! The Reading Teacher, 62(7), pp.618-620. doi:10.1598/RT.62.7.9