Each and every day in school your child works hard writing various texts. They may be writing a narrative story about himself, a booklet about a topic that is familiar to him, writing an expository text about a science or social studies content and more.

This is not an easy task for many students, but you can help.

Here are three tips to help your child’s writing:

Tip 1 – Help Your Kiddos Rehearse

One of the most frequent comments that I hear when in a writing classroom is “I don’t know what to write!!”

Small moments happen every day. As a parent, you can discuss the little things in his life that happened that day. Talk about how your son helped you make his own lunch the night before, or about face timing Grandma to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her. It could also be as simple as when he was sitting on the step waiting for a friend to come over to play.

Just having a conversation about these small moments helps your child know what they can write about tomorrow.

Tip 2 – Use Your Hand as an Organizer

As your child talks about that small moment, hold your hand up folding your fingers down as you ask:

• How did the story start?
• What happened first?
• Where were you and who was with you?
• What comes next?
• How did the story end?
• How did you feel when this happened?

Tip 3 – Jot Down All Ideas

Honor whatever he may say. Keeping a journal at home that your child can reread will fill him with ideas for stories each day. Writing down and retelling his ideas can spark him to tell you more about the event.

Being a writing partner at home can have a huge effect on your child’s achievement in school so WRITE ON!!

Do you have any questions about writing? Leave your questions in the comment section below.

Written by Janet Vellutato