Do your kids looked forward to writing? Are you finding it difficult to teach writing because your kids don’t like it? If so, this article is for you. We’ll talk about tips for creating a positive writing atmosphere in your homeschool, so that writing time becomes a highlight of your day.
Provide a comfortable physical writing environment
Starting with a comfortable physical writing environment is the foundation for creating a positive writing atmosphere. With the right surroundings, kids will be motivated to write. Think about the kind of work environment you like. What would get your kids in the mood to write? Here are some ideas.
- Get a child sized table and chairs so sitting and writing is comfortable.
- Add a lamp to provide needed lighting and ambience.
- Purchase quality pencils and other writing tools that are a pleasure to write with. Stubby pencils and dried up markers aren’t very inspiring.
- Provide other writing tools, like spelling dictionaries or writing charts you’ve made.
- You may want to add some inspiring writing quotes to the wall.
Make a daily writing routine
Kids love routine. To create a positive writing atmosphere, you need a daily writing routine that your kids can look forward to each day. When kids write often, writing become familiar. And the more that your kids write, the more skilled they become, which in turn builds self confidence and a willingness to keep writing.
Write with your child
I can’t think of an easier way to create a positive writing atmosphere than to write with your child. By writing with your child, you show that writing is valuable and enjoyable. You are the role model. Your attitude is contagious. Your children are watching you and learning behaviors from you. So, get excited about writing your own stories in the presence of your kids.
Give choice
Another tip for creating a positive atmosphere for writing is to give choices. When you use a writers’ workshop approach to writing, you can give your children choice of the following:
- Topic
- Do they want to write about their pet or their birthday party? What interests them?
- Genre
- Do they want to write a teaching book (non-fiction) or a narrative?
- Materials
- Do they like writing with a pencil or pen?
- Procedure
- Do they prefer to write or draw first?
Believe in them as writers
Children need to know that we believe in them as writers, so they will believe in themselves. This is yet another way to create a positive writing atmosphere. Every time we encourage, notice, and ask questions we show that we believe in our children as writers.
- Supporting and encouraging
- “How can I help you with that?”
- “You’re concentrating on your writing today.”
- Noticing
- “I see you found a way to say that clearly.”
- “You put spaces between your words.”
- Asking questions
- “How did you decide to …?”
- “What are you going to do next?”
Refrain from critiquing their work
To create a positive writing environment, it’s important to refrain from critiquing our children’s writing. I know it’s hard to overlook blaring writing mistakes, but if we dwell on them, we blind ourselves from the amazing work our children have demonstrated. Instead, try to point out something positive first. Then gently talk about one thing they could try to improve next time.
When I was in a writers’ workshop class in college, I was so nervous when my turn came to confer with the professor. What would she say after I read my piece? I anticipated being crushed by a negative comment and not wanting to write again, but lucky for me, she knew exactly what I needed to hear.
We’re all sensitive to criticism and need affirmation to keep going.
Have realistic expectations
It’s important to nudge our kids to write more and apply new skills we’ve taught them, but we need to have realistic expectations. Are you expecting your child to sit and write for extended periods of time when he hasn’t built writing stamina yet? Are you expecting your child to vary all her sentence lengths and beginnings when she’s spent all her energy on keeping her story organized? Don’t expect perfection; expect progress over time.
Celebrate your writer
The last tip for creating a positive writing atmosphere is to celebrate your writer. One simple way that I do this with my kids is to get their dad or other important adult to be their audience. When my husband gets home I say, “You’ve got to hear the book Miles wrote today!” Drawing attention to their work is like giving them a pat on the back for a job well done.
To take it a step further, you can publish one of their favorite pieces through an online self-publishing company like Lulu. My daughter was beaming when her published book arrived in the mail.
For more ideas about celebrating your writer, get a copy of my free ebook titled, “80 Ways to Make Writing Fun.” and scroll to the last section.
Conclusion
Teaching our children to write is a rewarding experience as we see them grow in confidence and ability. But writing can become a negative experience for many children if we’re not careful. Being intentional in our physical environment, making a daily routine, giving choice, believing in our kids, refraining from criticism, keeping realistic expectations, and celebrating our writers are ways we can create a positive writing atmosphere.
Your Turn
What tips do you have for creating a positive writing atmosphere?
