5 Simple Strategies to Improve Your Child’s Writing Skills

5 Simple Strategies to Improve Your Child’s Writing Skills

Writing can seem like a chore when kids are forced to sit down and write out (or type up) an assignment. Research papers can turn into a nightly battle. However, it is through practice that kids boost their writing skills, craft stronger sentences, and polish their grammar. With school out for the summer, getting kids to write can be even tougher. Fortunately, there are ways you can make practicing fun and engaging to keep learning going.

1. Encourage journaling.

All writing doesn’t have to be formal. Get your child a fun notebook or journal where they can jot down their thoughts. Whether their day is going great or has had some ups and downs, their journal can be a place for them to write whatever they want, and no one else has to see it. Their spelling might not be perfect, and it may not all be in complete sentences, but the point is that they are putting their thoughts into words and writing something.

2. Challenge them to extend a story or create their own.

Does your child have a favorite book or book series? What about a tv show? Let them practice their writing by developing their own adventure for their favorite characters, or writing the next book in the series. They could also use their imagination to create a play, writing parts for each member of the family, or for them and their friends. Leverage their interests to make it a topic they’re excited about so it seems less like work and more like fun.

3. Write emails or letters to family and friends.

Social distancing has been tough for a lot of kids (and their families). Why not sit down and write a letter or email to a relative or even one of their friends? Having pen pals can be exciting because they never know when the next note will appear in the mailbox or their inbox. It is also a wonderful way to connect with family, and people appreciate the personal touch of a handwritten note and the thought behind the message.

4. Plan a trip.

Practice research and writing skills by having your child plan a trip. It can be something fairly local that they want to do this summer, or maybe a bigger event for next year or further in the future. By planning different activities to do and places to go, it can make your child more engaged and give them something to look forward to. Let them research the area they want to travel to, how to get there, what some attractions are, and how you’ll spend each day. We may not be able to do much traveling right now, but it’s always fun to think ahead.

5. Keep reading.

The simple act of reading can improve your child’s writing skills. By reading books in different genres and by different authors, they are exposed to many styles and structures of writing. They come across a wide range of vocabulary words and ways of presenting an idea. This can help them when they sit down to do their own writing, because they remember things that they liked or have read.

Writing is a skill children will use throughout their lives, so regular practice and reading can pay off. Whether they’re writing an assignment for class or trying to draft their college admissions essay, Crafting Scholars can help them hone their writing skills and develop a stronger final product. Contact us today to learn more!