#Collaborative post
The ability to write features heavily in our everyday lives, but it can be a difficult skill to master for children. Parents can give their youngsters a head start by exploring some simple activities with them whilst they’re young, ensuring they are comfortable with writing tasks at school. As with most things, practise makes perfect, so be sure to make time for writing within your home on a regular basis. Here are some tips from a private school in Surrey to help get you started.
Read, Read, Read
Reading and writing go hand in hand. The more your child reads, the better they will become at writing because their vocabulary, spelling and grammar will improve. They will also become more familiar with different sentence structures and tone of voice. With that said, try and make time to read with your child on a regular basis.
Ensure Your Child Has Plenty of Writing Tools
Your child won’t be able to practise writing if they don’t have the right equipment. Make sure they have pencils and crayons and plenty of paper (both lined and unlined). You should also create a space for them with a flat surface where they can write, like a desk or the kitchen table.
Practise Writing their Name
This is a good place to start because it’s familiar to them and something they will have to write repeatedly at school. Take one little at a time and be patient, as they may take some time to write their name in full. Once they become proficient, encourage them to sign their name as much as possible, like on birthday cards you’re sending out.
Help Your Child Write Letters & Emails
Rather than calling or facetiming friends and family, encourage your child to write out a letter or email from time to time so that they have the opportunity to practise their written communication skills. It’s also worth encouraging them to send thank you cards after their birthday or Christmas.
Encourage Them to Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal is not only fantastic for helping children develop their writing skills, but also acts as an outlet for them to vent their feelings and get things off their chest. Encourage your child to write about their day; what happened at school and at home, things they need to remember to do and anything that made them feel particularly happy or grateful.
Praise Your Child
When you see your child writing, be sure to praise them for their efforts. Try and find positive things to say about it, rather than focussing on things like spelling mistakes, so that they don’t feel disheartened.