There is a reason why the writing center is often the first port of call for anxious second graders. Few subjects are as terrifying to them as writing. The idea of sitting down with a blank piece of paper in front of you is more than a little daunting.
The good thing is that once they get over the nerves and start writing, the benefits are many.
Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, it’s worth taking the time to sit down with your child and go over what they’ve written in the writing center. The benefits can be many and varied, from developing their skills to gaining confidence to boosting their vocabulary. In this article, we’ll run down the top five benefits of the writing center for young students.
Develops Confidence
One of the biggest benefits of the writing center is that it can help build confidence. It’s not that simple words on a page will miraculously transform your child’s self-esteem, but they can certainly help. The very act of putting pen to paper and pouring your child’s thoughts and feelings into a story can instill a sense of pride that comes from mastery.
For younger students, it might be easier to get them to share their work with a parent or teacher. Not only does it help them gain confidence, but it also allows someone else to provide feedback and encouragement. If your school provides a writing centre, then it’s worth considering whether or not your child benefits from attending.
Allows Self-expression
There’s a common misconception that writing is only for the students in the classroom. While the benefits to the student are clear (to develop confidence and mastery), the opportunities for self-expression are endless. Whether through a story, a play, a poem, or even a short note, every child can find their voice and share their stories with the world. This is why the writing centre is such a valuable resource.
Brings Colleagues Together
One of the great things about working in a school or at a doctor’s office is that you get to collaborate with professionals from various fields. In the same way that your doctor might be able to suggest a different treatment for your child’s health issue, a writing tutor might be able to offer some helpful tips on how to improve your student’s piece. Not only does this serve as a nice reminder that there are other professionals out there who could help, but it also opens up the opportunity for your student to learn more about different topics. In turn, this could lead to more fruitful collaborations in the future.
Helps Build Vocabulary
Vocabulary is one of the hardest aspects of English for learners to master. In fact, it’s one of the most difficult aspects. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most important. The more words you know, the better. Learning new words isn’t hard – it’s actually very rewarding. Knowing the meaning of those words makes using them in conversation easy. Learning the meaning of words is a lot easier when you’re familiar with the usage. This is where the writing center comes in handy. By writing stories and poems, your student will not only learn new words, but they will also build their vocabulary.
Brings Home The Essay As A Whole
As we’ve established, writing is a difficult and often daunting process for young students. One of the best things about the writing center is that it can help break down the writing process into tiny little steps. While your student might be writing a story or an essay, they can begin by simply practicing spelling. Then, once they’ve mastered that, they can move on to the next phase of crafting. Breaking down the writing process like this allows for better organization and a more gradual increase in complexity. With each step, your student will feel that little bit more confident. By the time they’ve reached the end, they’ll be able to look back on the whole process with a sense of pride. Not only does this benefit your student, but it benefits you as well – you can stop worrying about whether or not your child has everything they need and can look forward to a more relaxing and enjoyable evening.
If you’re looking for ways to develop your student’s confidence, there are many benefits to be had from the writing centre. Take the time to sit down with your child and go over what they’ve written in the Writing Center. Then, you can sit back and enjoy a well-deserved drink while your child revels in the reflected glow of accomplishment.