Quick Click: 5 Easy Ways to Support Writing at Home
Written language needs to be purposeful and meaningful to your child. Try these activities.
Keep letters handy for early writing practice.
1. Help your child learn the letters of the alphabet. Read ABC books, play letter-matching games, and work on puzzles to help her identify letters. Invite her to make letters using clay.
2. Take pictures of an activity that is especially interesting to your child. Use them to write a story together.
3. Keep a portfolio of your child's writing attempts. At different times in the year, show your child her writing samples and comment on her progress.
4. Bring writing materials with you whenever you go out to the grocery store, doctor's office, or a restaurant.
5. Celebrate your child's writing by prominently hanging her work in places where it is visible to all. Knowing that writing is important will go a long way toward motivating her to write more.
Writing supplies to have on hand:
- paper (lined and unlined)
- colorful stationery
- chunky pencils, markers, and crayons
- ink pads and rubber stamps
- an old typewriter or keyboard
- your child's writing samples
- alphabet letters
- Post-Its
- envelopes
- stickers
