Provide writing materials – Provide plenty of writing materials – paper of all kinds, colors, textures, pens, pencils, post-it-notes – invite your child to explore writing.
Provide a print-rich environment – Fill your writer’s world with written materials – books, magazines, newspapers and writing you create.
Extend your vocabulary – If you add even a words a week to your own vocabulary, and use it in conversation, your child can learn just by talking with you. Ask your child to teach you new words, too. If you come across a word in print you do not know, take time to look it up. That way, you can model what you hope your child will do.
Write notes – A personal note – just a few words – in a lunch box or pocket can be a wonderful surprise.
Write together – Let your child choose a topic and free-write together for 5-10 minutes, then share.
Be a writer yourself – You do not have to be writing a novel to teach valuable writing strategies. Let your child see that you enjoy writing, and also that it is an important skill for everyday life.
Create a photo album or scrapbook – An album representing “a year in the life” or the highlights of a special event – pool party, birthday, vacation – provides an opportunity for writing short pieces. Work with your child to create a short introduction along with labels and captions that reflect the spirit of the event.
Encourage letters – No activity is more useful for developing a sense of voice, audience, and purpose than letter writing. Encourage your child to write letters of all kinds – both friendly and business. Invite your child to write to a favorite sports figure, a teach, coach, celebrity, author, or any organization that provides information in response to inquiries.
