Top Ten Writing Tips for Parents/Guardians
Infants to 1st
- Model writing yourself – shopping lists / letters / cards etc.
- Provide a special place for your child to write / scribble provide a variety of materials- crayons markers /pencils (box)
- Display your child’s name as often as possible i.e. Sean’s Room.
- Teach your child the letters in his own name.
- Provide alphabet books friezes.
- Write messages / reminders to your child.
- Encourage child to write his / her own messages. Computer.
- Praise your child’s efforts.
- Ask child to read their own messages.
- Respond to the messages and not to grammar and spelling
2nd to 4th
- Praise your child’s efforts – respond to the message and not spelling / handwriting grammar.
- Look for opportunities for purposeful writing activities at home – writing greeting cards, notes, telephone messages.
- Encourage your child to use a word processor / computer.
- Provide a quiet writing /study area for your child well equipped with pencils/ paper
- Encourage your child to keep a diary.
- Support your child’s spelling attempts.
- Encourage him to have a go at spelling difficult words.
- Use scrapbooks to support the child’s hobby / special interests. Presents that support writing.
- Make sure your child has a dictionary to help with writing.
- Help child fill in personal details on forms etc.
5th and 6th
- Encourage your child to keep a diary. Respect privacy.
- Encourage your child to write for real purposes everyday – shopping lists / phone messages etc.
- Praise the effort and respond to the message and not the handwriting, grammar etc.
- Make sure that your child has access to a dictionary, thesaurus to help with writing.
- Allow your child work on a word processor.
- Try crossword puzzles and ‘Find the word puzzles’.
- Provide a range of attractive writing materials – coloured pens, fancy paper.
- Encourage your child to write greeting cards / thank you notes etc.
- Encourage your child to take part in writing competitions / community projects.
- Show your child that you value writing by writing yourself.