Top Ten Writing Tips for Parents/Guardians

Top Ten  Writing Tips for Parents/Guardians

Infants to 1st

  1. Model writing yourself – shopping lists / letters / cards etc.
  2. Provide a special place for your child to write / scribble provide a variety of materials- crayons markers /pencils (box)
  3.  Display your child’s name as often as possible i.e. Sean’s Room.
  4.  Teach your child the letters in his own name.
  5.  Provide alphabet books friezes.
  6.  Write messages / reminders to your child.
  7. Encourage child to write his / her own messages. Computer.
  8. Praise your child’s efforts.
  9.  Ask child to read their own messages.
  10.  Respond to the messages and not to grammar and spelling

 

2nd to 4th

  1. Praise your child’s efforts – respond to the message and not spelling / handwriting grammar.
  2. Look for opportunities for purposeful writing activities at home – writing greeting cards, notes, telephone messages.
  3.  Encourage your child to use a word processor / computer.
  4.  Provide a quiet writing /study area for your child well equipped with pencils/ paper
  5.  Encourage your child to keep a diary.
  6.  Support your child’s spelling attempts.
  7.  Encourage him to have a go at spelling difficult words.
  8. Use scrapbooks to support the child’s hobby / special interests. Presents that support writing.
  9. Make sure your child has a dictionary to help with writing.
  10. Help child fill in personal details on forms etc.

5th and 6th 

  1.  Encourage your child to keep a diary. Respect privacy.
  2. Encourage your child to write for real purposes everyday – shopping lists / phone messages etc.
  3. Praise the effort and respond to the message and not the handwriting, grammar etc.
  4. Make sure that your child has access to a dictionary, thesaurus to help with writing.
  5. Allow your child work on a word processor.
  6. Try crossword puzzles and ‘Find the word puzzles’.
  7.  Provide a range of attractive writing materials – coloured pens, fancy paper.
  8.  Encourage your child to write greeting cards / thank you notes etc.
  9.  Encourage your child to take part in writing competitions / community projects.
  10.  Show your child that you value writing by writing yourself.