Encouraging your child’s creative writing abilities may seem tricky nowadays. Kids can be so absorbed by screens now that there’s no easy analogue to creativity in the form of a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 4.
Whether your child wants to write a book or is currently content with mere blog posts, there are ways they can express their creative side that will engage them and spark their imaginations.
Here are some tips on how to help your child develop their creative writing capabilities.
Set Up A Writers’ Room
If you want to write books together, the first thing you need to do is set up a room dedicated to writing. This can be as simple as a small desk or an old dining table turned into a desk. It doesn’t matter what you call it as long as it has a dedicated space where you and your child can get peace and quiet to write.
Make sure there’s a comfortable place for your child to sit down and work. It might be wise to purchase a couple of ergonomic chairs, so that your kid feels good while they’re working.]]>
Start Small
If your child is just getting started, it might be a good idea to start with short stories or poems instead of attempting novels. There’s no reason to pressure your child into writing something epic when they’re not ready. Start small, and eventually, you can move onto something grander.
Whether it’s for a school assignment or for your own amusement, starting small will help your child get the most out of the experience. Short stories and poems give kids the freedom to experiment with language while also allowing you to read what they’ve written and give your opinion on its content.
Create A Routine
Every writer’s life is chaotic at times, but creating a routine helps. Whether you’re meeting with a tutor once a week or you’ve appointed yourself your child’s writing coach, setting up a routine for yourself and your child will help get their creative juices flowing.
Writing should be fun and rewarding, and for kids who love words, it can be a creative outlet that sparks their imagination, enlivens their day, and allows them to express themselves in new ways. However, for children who lack self-discipline and like to avoid commitments, it can be tricky to find the motivation to sit down and write every day. A routine can help establish consistent habits in your child, which will help ensure that their English skills improve and they feel more comfortable writing in the future.
Try and work on a routine that suits both of you. If you want to, you can start by setting small goals for yourself and your child. For example, you can say you’ll write for one hour today, and if your child manages to keep up, you can move to two hours tomorrow.
Use Tech
If you have a tech-savvy child who enjoys using digital devices, they can be a great help in the creative writing process. There are numerous tools available online which can be utilized to polish and submit your child’s work. Your digital protégé will feel much more comfortable writing in an international environment than you will ever be able to replicate on a physical typewriter. Using a program such as Scrivener with a Mac or PC can be a highly beneficial experience for budding writers.
If you want to learn how to write a novel, there are plenty of free online courses available. Learning how to use a tool such as Scrivener for writing can help get your child into the habit of structuring their thoughts and ideas into a logical order, which will immensely improve the quality of their written work. Self-discipline and the ability to follow instructions are crucial for any writer, and for kids who are just getting started, using a program like Scrivener can help instill these important qualities.
Take Shorts Breaks
When was the last time you took a break, just for a little while? You’ve been so absorbed in your work that you haven’t even noticed the passage of time, but here we are, on the verge of the end of the day, and it’s time for a break. Why not take a break and let your child engage with something they love doing?
Sitting down with a cup of coffee and a pile of old toys can be a great way to work through your child’s latest masterpiece. Interacting with creative toys while sifting through old memories can help rekindle fond childhood feelings, and it also gives you a small break from the duties of a parent. If writing is something your child enjoys, why not take a short break, let them engage with their favourite hobbies, and enjoy the time together? You can give your kid a head start on their literary career by acting as an intermediary between them and the world, guiding their creative passions and helping them to become the best authors they can be.
Try Something New
If you’ve been writing the same book for the past year and feel like it’s time for a change, give it a rest and try something new. Short stories and poems are great to develop your child’s creative writing abilities because they allow for experimentation. If you want, you can try a new format or approach and see how your child reacts. If nothing else seems to be working, try a different book. There are so many stories out there, and it’s important to find one that your kids will enjoy, be engaged with, and want to read over and over again. Creating an imaginary world for your characters to escape to can help unleash their creative potential. From there, you can introduce them to the greats of literature and let them discover the joy of reading. What could be more exciting than letting your children discover their own creative voices, honing their writing skills, and encouraging them to explore the world around them?
Encouraging your child’s creative writing abilities may seem tricky nowadays. Kids can be so absorbed by screens now that there’s no easy analogue to creativity in the form of a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 4. However, as a parent or guardian, it’s your job to ensure that your child’s imagination is never fully swiped by technology. Creative writing is a wonderful way to nurture your child’s nascent talents while introducing them to the greats of literature. Set up a room for yourself and your child to write in, and get ready to revel in the joy of discovery. Who knows, maybe one day, you’ll even be able to publish a book yourself!