Writing Well

Proficient writing skills are crucial to academic and professional success. To write well is to communicate well. A child who can write will have a much more positive experience when it comes to term papers, essays and even college entrance exams. It's a vital, day-to-day skill that not only stimulates new ideas, but clear thinking and logical organization as well. Letters to friends, notes to loved ones, thank you cards are all examples of how writing can benefit your child's social experience. And it can be very therapeutic, providing a means for self-expression, either public or private.

Every time your child makes a list, jots down a reminder in his assignment pad or takes notes in class, he's using his writing skills. The more fluidly and efficiently he can do these things the better they will serve him as reference tools. In the professional world, people prepare memos, proposals, letters, briefs, sales reports, articles, and research reports. Just about everyone does some kind of writing on the job. If a person needs to communicate with a client, coworker or boss, chances are he'll need to write it down at some point. The clear communication of strong writing makes it easier.

Many schools cannot or do not stress the need for writing proficiency. In that case, it's up to parents to ensure their children get adequate help and practice. Here are some things to remember:

Let Them Draw!

Drawing is actually an early form of written communication and can be beneficial to your child's writing abilities throughout his life. Ask your child about his pictures, find out what he's trying to represent and why. It will give you vital insight into what and how he thinks.

Help Him Remember!

Children have a lot of new experiences every day. It can be hard to remember it all. Take the time to help your child remember the details of the subject he's writing about.

Give Him Time!

Children have huge imaginations. Most of the time they have so many ideas it can be hard to pick one and begin. Give you child all the time he needs to get rolling, but remember to prod him gently. Diving in and starting, even on an idea he's not happy with, will help him get his story out.

Don't Forget to Read!

Reading can stimulate a child to write about lots of things. The more he reads, the better he'll understand the mechanics of good writing. His writing will automatically make more sense because he will write according to a form he already has in his head.

Make it Mean Something!

Give your child an assignment that is connected to his experience, or at least to his interests. Boredom is no teacher. A child needs to be engaged in order to learn well. Choose topics that challenge, but also topics he can enjoy.

Write it again!

As soon as you can, begin teaching your child the value of revision. He'll want to get it right the first time. The sooner he can accept that writing is mostly rewriting, the happier he'll be with the process.