Tips for Helping Your Child Learn to Write

Writing is a little like sports: you have to practise if you want to be good at it. But if your child is having a hard time putting words to paper, they might be less motivated. To help them stick with it, emphasize the following points:

• Writing is a fun and useful skill
• The only way to improve is through practice
• There are many tools available, including dictionaries and grammar books
• You’ll be there every step of the way to support them
• Etc.

Your child doesn’t need a classroom assignment to hone their writing skills—the opportunities are endless:

• Create a shopping list
• Write letters
• Make up stories to read to your family
• Copy out a recipe
• Write greeting cards
• Make a to-do list
• Etc.

The best way to help your child learn to write flawlessly is to let them figure out the answers to their questions. They’ll be less likely to make the same mistakes twice. All you have to do is make sure they have access to the tools they need:

• Dictionary
• Grammar book
• Conjugation book
• Etc.

If your child has been diagnosed with a learning disorder, they may be permitted to use an assistive device at school. They should have access to this tool at all times, even at home.

A perseverant child will pick themselves up and keep trying after they fail. Your child needs your support to avoid becoming discouraged. Try using phrases like these to boost their morale:

• “That’s such a cool story you’re writing!”
• “I noticed you used a new word. Great job!”
• “I can tell you made an effort to write neatly. I’m proud of you!”
• Etc.

Explaining to your child why writing matters will help them stay motivated to learn, even if they’re struggling.

Reading is an important part of learning to write properly. As well as being a fun activity that allows your child to discover imaginary worlds, reading has many benefits:

• Helps with understanding sentence structure
• Enriches vocabulary
• Develops critical thinking
• Improves spelling
• Etc.