Brookwood School It Starts Here.

Living the writerly life

Allow Time

If children show an interest in writing, you might build a quiet time into your everyday life. Twenty minutes after breakfast, a half hour before an afternoon nap, in the evening when dinner is over -- a brief time for calm, reflection and creativity. Some families make time for writing on hikes, during gardening, in the course of trips, and even at special events, such as family reunions.

Offer choice

At home, especially, it is important for children to be able to choose their own topics and genres, materials and forms of publication. A sense of ownership is vital for young writers.

Model a "Writerly Life"

The best motivation for young writers is to feet that they are part of a family or community of people who write for real, purposeful reasons. Every time you make a list, compose a letter, talk about a book you are reading, make up a silly song or story, you are teaching your child that writing has meaning.

Value and Praise Accomplishments

When we keep the focus on all a writer has accomplished, rather than all he has yet to learn, we raise morale and motivation. When we truthfully recognize and honor a success, however small it may seem to us, we do a lot to help a child develop a comfort level with written self-expression.

Make the Reading/Writing Connection

Let your favorite authors be your writing teachers and your favorite books provide inspiration. Read for pure pleasure, but also reinforce the idea that the stories you love are writing. Talk about what writers do that makes you laugh or feel sad. Use published works to launch your own works.

Provide an Audience

"Share" at home as your child loves to do at school. Read aloud from your journals or stories.