Writing is one of the greatest inventions of humankind. As our civilisation and our ideas become increasingly complex, writing as a skill is becoming more and more critical. Your writing skills could mean the difference between a successful life and an unsuccessful, unsatisfactory life. Hence, it is worthwhile to teach your children how to express themselves effectively in writing. This article presents some time-tested tips to help your child with their writing skills.
Appreciate good writing
Your children must know that you appreciate and respect good writing. This should come across in speech in the form of appreciation for a good book or a good writer. If you discuss the nuances of stories and articles at home, they will pick up the cue that writing is an activity that attracts appreciation and respect. This is one of the greatest motivators to write.
Read often, read good
The vocabulary, structures, ideas, and inspirations that go into writing originate in the writings of others. Whether a book or magazine or e-reader, you must read yourself, read to your child, and encourage your child to read. Buy them age-appropriate books to read and build them a bookshelf. Surround them with good-quality literature from where they can pick up good writing.
Model writing behaviour
Let your children see you write often—from to-do lists to greeting cards to e-mails, reports, and your personal diary. If you write daily, they will feel that writing is something that should be done and imitate you by writing themselves.
Scribbling is good
From an early age, encourage your child to draw, scribble, and write using crayons or sketch pens or pencils. Do not discourage them from writing gibberish. The act of holding a writing device and creating symbols on a medium, be it paper or the wall, is the fundamental act behind writing.
Encourage letter writing