GRAND
RAPIDS, Mich., July 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Summertime is here, and many
parents are looking for fun ways to keep their kids engaged and
learning. For those with young writers at home, this is the perfect
time to encourage creativity while helping them grow their writing
skills. Here are some simple tips, inspired by Sarah Montpas, English Language Arts Curriculum
Manager for National Heritage Academies (NHA).
Encourage Writing to an Authentic Audience
"One of the most important things is having an authentic
audience to write to," says Montpas. Encourage your kids to write
letters, emails, and postcards to family members, friends, or even
their past and future teachers. This gives them a purpose for
writing and helps them practice their skills.
Start a Conversation Journal
Montpas says, "One of my favorite things I used to do with my
students was a conversation journal." Parents can do this too by
keeping a journal with their child. Each person writes an entry and
then passes it to the other, creating a written discussion. It's a
great way to talk about topics that might be awkward in person
while also practicing writing. For example, you could discuss a
favorite book, a recent event, or future goals.
Play Storytelling Games
Make writing fun with storytelling games. Montpas shares a
campfire game from her childhood: "One person would say a line of a
story, and it would go around the circle where everybody had to add
on to the story." This game helps kids think about story structure
and boosts their creative thinking.
Make Lists and Plans
"To-do lists are good," Montpas notes, even if they don't seem
like creative writing at first. Have your kids make lists of what
they want to do over the summer or create a checklist for a
vacation. They could also create a menu for a family dinner. This
helps them organize their thoughts and practice structured
writing.
Find a Pen Pal
Finding a pen pal for your child can be a fun way for them to
practice writing while learning about different places and
cultures. Whether they meet a friend on vacation or through a pen
pal program, it's a great way to keep them writing.
Write Reviews
After visiting a museum, park, or any other place, encourage
your child to write a review. Montpas suggests, "If you do a day
trip to a museum, is there something that you could write a review
on that you liked or didn't like?" This helps kids express their
thoughts and opinions. They could also review books, movies, or
restaurants.
Creative Prompts and Journals
Use online resources to find story starters to spark your
child's imagination. Additionally, getting a special notebook just
for summer writing can motivate them to write regularly.
Provide Positive Feedback
When giving feedback on your child's writing, focus on positive
reinforcement. Instead of pointing out what they did wrong,
highlight what they did well and offer suggestions for
improvement.
Create a Comfortable Writing Space
Whether it's a cozy corner in the house or a blanket under a
tree, find a space where your child feels comfortable and inspired
to write. Make sure it's full of all the supplies they will
need.
Combine Reading and Writing
Reading and writing go hand in hand. Encourage your kids to read
regularly, analyze the writing styles they encounter, and try to
mimic those styles in their writing. This helps them understand
vocabulary, sentence structure, and storytelling techniques.
Montpas says, "Anything you can do to get your kids writing and
reading over the summer is just going to benefit them." A reading
list or family book club can be a great way to get everyone
involved.
These tips should help you keep your young writer engaged and
developing their skills all summer long!
About National Heritage Academies:
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 100
tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving
more than 68,000 students in kindergarten through 12th
grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the
nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.
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SOURCE National Heritage Academies