Family Support of Writers - A

Family Support: Preconventional Writer (ages 3-5)

  • Read aloud to your child on a regular basis. By listening to books, young children begin to understand that print carries meaning
  • Provide writing materials (such as paper, pens, chalkboard, markers) and a corner or area for writing. You might want to have a writing box with paper, markers and crayons in one convenient place.
  • Provide magnetic letters on the refrigerator and plastic letters in the bathtub so your child can play with letters and words.
  • Model everyday writing (such as lists, letters, notes). Ask your child to add a word or picture.
  • Keep a grocery list on the refrigerator. Have your child add to the list.
  • Share letters and birthday and holiday cards.
  • Take pictures and make a book about your child as he or she grows up.
  • Invite your child to write along with you when you’re writing lists or letters.
  • Have your child dictate a story to you and make it into a simple book.
  • Respond to your child’s awareness of the writing around them (“Wow, how did you know that said K-Mart? That’s great reading!”).
  • Play with language by singing, pointing out signs, rhyming words, and talking about words and letters.
  • When your child draws, scribbles or writes random letters, ask him or her to tell you about the writing or drawing.
  • Encourage risk-taking as your child learns to write and experiments with letters and words.
  • Encourage your child to label drawings with a word or letter and sign his/her name.
  • Respond enthusiastically to early attempts at writing.

Family Support: Emerging Writer (ages 4-6)

  • Read aloud to your child on a regular basis. Reading provides the foundation for writing and builds vocabulary
  • Provide writing materials where your child can get them easily.
  • Provide Post-it notes for lists and notes.
  • Invite your child to write alongside you as you use daily writing (“Could you write that for me on the grocery list?” “Why don’t you put a sign on the door?” “Stick a Post-in note on the refrigerator so we don’t forget.”).
  • Demonstrate the many ways you use writing as you make lists, address envelopes, pay bills, and write notes and letters.
  • Keep a family calendar where you and your child can write down upcoming events and things to remember.
  • Encourage invented spelling rather than spelling the words for your child, so he or she can become an independent writer (Ask, “What sounds do you hear?”).
  • Encourage your child to label things in his/her room or around the house.
  • Encourage your child to write the names of family and friends.
  • Encourage your child to add pictures and a few words to thank you notes or cards.
  • Create a message center with a bulletin board or slots for mail. Encourage your child to write notes to members of the family.
  • Play letter/word recognition games while driving (“Let’s look for things that start with ‘p’ or look for license plates from different states.”).
  • Cut up words and letters from magazines and glue them together to make words and sentences.
  • Write a story together.
  • Encourage your child to make up plays and puppet shows.

Family Support: Developing Writer (ages 5-7)

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  • Read aloud to your child on a regular basis. Reading helps children develop an ear for language and a love of reading.
  • Make a writing center with Post-it notes, paper, stickers, staplers, pencils, and a pencil sharpener. Try to include inviting paper and bright pens or colorful markers.
  • Make or buy an alphabet strip with upper and lower case letters to put in a writing area or on a desk.
  • Display your child’s artwork and writing.
  • Leave simple notes in your child’s lunchbox, under the pillow, on the mirror, or on the refrigerator.
  • Make lists of jobs, friends, birthdays, favorite restaurants, good jokes, etc.
  • Encourage your child to write notes and reminders (“Why don’t you add that to the message board, refrigerator, or calendar?”).
  • Involve your child in writing party invitations, name tags, thank you notes, valentines, holiday cards, etc. Be sure to plan ahead enough so your child will have lots of time.
  • Have your child send friends postcards when you’re on a trip. Be sure to take stamps and their addresses with you.
  • Tell “add-on” stories as you hike or on a car trip.
  • Make simple books together after a trip, about your family, or about a subject your child finds interesting.
  • Show your child how you use writing in your job and in daily life.
  • Ask your child to tell you about the work that comes home from school. Have your child read to you what he or she has written. Focus on content.
  • Encourage risk-taking and the use of invented spelling as your child first writes. This helps your child express ideas and feelings independently without becoming discouraged by the mechanics of writing.
  • Save your child’s work and compare with earlier writing to point out and celebrate growth.

Family Support: Beginning Writer (ages 6-8)

  • Read chapter books aloud to your child. Anticipating the next installment each night is motivating!
  • Keep materials for writing available (old checks, music paper, telephone message pads, paper, chalk and chalkboard, markers, pens, and pencils).
  • Encourage letter writing (pick a friend or relative who will answer!)
  • If you have a computer, encourage your child to email friends and relatives.
  • Keep a family journal of trips, favorite restaurants, funny stories, visitors, movies, etc. Ask your child to add comments and reactions.
  • Make a family joke book. Check out joke books from the library and add your favorites.
  • Have your child read you what he/she has written. Respond first to the content and ideas. At this stage, a child’s confidence and attitude about writing are very important.
  • Praise the “good ideas” evident in your child’s writing and use of invented spelling “That was a great guess. You got the first and last letters.”).
  • Share your thinking as you write.
  • Encourage the use of your child’s own spelling (invented spelling) so he or she can become an independent writer. When asked, “How do you spell that?”, encourage your child to write the sound he or she hears.
  • Correct your child’s spelling or punctuation only if asked. Focus on only one skill so your child doesn’t become overwhelmed.
  • Save your child’s quality school work and art and keep it in a book or folder. Be sure to date the work and call attention to changes and growth.