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Tips for writing

1. Plenty of writing materials.

Ensure you have notepads, pencils, pens, card and paper at home. Let your child experiment and have a go with writing.

2. Practice the alphabet.

Buy some plastic alphabet letters or write letters on individual cards. How fast can your child put the letters in order? Hide one. Can they spot the missing letter? Or play a game using each letter of the alphabet to start a word, for example take turns to suggest boys names each starting with the next letter of the alphabet. So the first person might suggest Adam starting with A and the next person then has to think of a name beginning with B, e.g. Bert and so on through the alphabet.

3. Play with words.

Encourage your child to be curious and eager to learn new words. Point out words that all have the same pattern e.g. moon, spoon, noon. Get them to look through a book and collect words – e.g. other words for said (whispered, answered, argued…..). Maybe they could gather new words on card and keep them in a special box to use next time they write. Word searches, crosswords, jumbled up names, hangman are lots of fun when friends come round.

4. Get out and about.

Encourage your child to look at writing when out and about. Get them to read adverts, posters, signs and notices in the supermarket, on the TV and internet. Seeing writing as a part of their everyday lives ensures your child sees the purpose of learning to write.

5. Writing plans.

You need to help your child with the writing process. First they need to make decisions: Who are they writing for? What is the purpose? Next they need to create a plan: brain storm thoughts and ideas. Then they need to draft: writing initial thoughts, correcting ideas, spelling and punctuation. Finally they need to write the final piece neatly for the person they writing it for.

6. Write alongside your child.

Have a go at writing alongside your child. Decide what you are going to write about together and then let your child watch you write. Pretend to struggle with the first few sentences spending time thinking, crossing out, adding describing words, correcting spelling or punctuation errors as you go along. Share what you are thinking and difficulties you may have choosing words or putting sentences together. You will be modelling how to write and your child will love helping you.

7. Supporting Writing.

              Boost your child’s confidence as a writer. Encorage them

              to share their ideas and listen to ideas to improve their

              writing. Make sure you give lots of praise. Extra treats

              for working hard.