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Motivating young children to write – the do’s and don’ts!

2014-04-21 By: That Fun Reading Teacher10 Comments

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Motivating young children to write - the do's and don'ts!

Much has been written about the importance of motivatingĀ young children when it comes to learning to read. It is equally important to motivate them inĀ writing. Ā There is a reciprocal relationship betweenĀ reading and writing.

Here are some tried and trueĀ dos and don’ts for motivating young children to write:

DO

DON’T

  • Ensure that there are plenty of opportunities for kids to see role models writing for real purposes in a positive way
  • Have fun, sit together and praise the efforts put into drawing, writing, printing activities
  • Give children opportunities to be helpful and feel important with their writing (see this post)
  • Break down fine motor tasks into manageable chunks of time if your child is showing signs of fatigue, restlessness or frustration (ten minutes at a time may be suitable for a child in kindergarten – it depends on the individual)
  • Discreetly speak to your child’s teacher if you have any concerns about your child’s fine motor development
  • Allow children to let their ideas flow and create their masterpieces, and teach editing at a separate time
  • Keep games, toys and materials around the house that promote writing
  • Make it ALL ABOUT THEM and their interests!
  • Complain about your own written work or give the impression that writing is a chore
  • Criticize, make fun of or diminish (i.e. laugh at or call coloring, tracing, copying, ā€˜cute’) attempts at printing or writing
  • Add to or extend writing work sent home from school, particularly if your child is showing signs of fatigue, restlessness or frustration
  • Ask a child to just sit and practice printing for no reason
  • Correct or ask a child to be concerned with writing conventions during a first draft
  • Punish or reprimand a child who is having difficulty writing
  • Push a child who is left-handed to become right handed.
  • Worry prematurely. Writing is developmental and there is a wide range of normal. Your child’s teacher will let you know if there are any concerns.

Writing for real purposes:

Ā 

https://thatfunreadingteacher.com/writing-real-purposes/
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    Comments

    1. Prototype Mama says

      2014-03-09 at 8:14 pm

      This is a great post. I have two boys that I homeschool and I so needed this.

      Reply
      • thatfunreadingteacher says

        2014-03-11 at 3:12 pm

        Thank you so much! I am glad this was helpful. You may also find this one interesting, as it contains many of the questions I have been asked from parents over the years: https://thatfunreadingteacher.com/questions-about-early-literacy-what-would-you-like-to-know/ Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!

        Reply
    2. Jamie H says

      2014-03-12 at 3:37 pm

      Coming from Mom It Forward. Excellent advice and something EVERY parent should keep in mind, not just those who homeschool.

      Reply
      • thatfunreadingteacher says

        2014-03-13 at 3:44 pm

        Jamie, I enjoyed your leprechaun post and loved the colorful craft! Thank you for your positive comment. This advice actually came from teaching Reading Recovery at school, where a number of parents over the years have expressed frustration with not knowing what is too much and what is too little. Here is a post where I summarized some more: https://thatfunreadingteacher.com/questions-about-early-literacy-what-would-you-like-to-know/. Thank you so much for writing.

        Reply
    3. Sarah says

      2014-03-12 at 9:05 pm

      This is such a great post – I love finding info like this to pin for the future. My daughter is 3 and we are going to home school our children… I’m nervous but excited!

      Reply
      • thatfunreadingteacher says

        2014-03-13 at 3:39 pm

        Thank you, Sarah. That is an ambitious endeavor. Thank goodness we all have each other for support at the other side of a screen! Best wishes to you and your family. You may also find this one interesting, as it contains many of the questions I have been asked from parents over the years: https://thatfunreadingteacher.com/questions-about-early-literacy-what-would-you-like-to-know/ . Have a wonderful day!

        Reply

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