Help Children Become Writers

When children begin to understand that they can put their words and ideas down on paper, they are  on their way to becoming writers.Young preschoolers use drawing and scribble writing to begin.  Later, as they develop more muscle control and a little awareness of the importance of letters, they may print strings of letters across the page.  When they start elementary school, they will learn that the sounds they need can be shown by printing certain combinations of letters to make a word.  As a grandparent, you have a wonderful opportunity to model writing and to develop your preschooler’s interest in self-expression. 

Materials You Will Need:  Sheets of white paper, crayons, pencil or pens.

What To Do: Make a picture poster

   This is an activity that can be done anytime during the year.  Be sure your preschooler has many opportunities to scribble and draw with pencils, crayons, washable markers, etc.  Sometimes children will want an older child or adult to draw with them.  First, talk together about what to draw. Maybe they will want to draw other members of the family or their pets or friends or a fun activity. Pictures will vary based on age level and muscle development.

   When the picture is finished to the satisfaction of your child, ask him/her to tell something about it.  Make up a simple sentence together.  PRINT your child’s words at the top or bottom of the paper using lower case letters(not caps)  except for beginning of names.  When you are done, point to the words and read it back out loud several times.  Put the picture up on the refrigerator, or let your preschooler take it around to show and “read” to others.

How Will This Help My Child?

  You can help your preschooler get ready for school by showing that ideas can be written down with letters and words.   When you talk together and make up sentences, you are helping to build a strong vocabulary. Children who have many opportunities to draw, scribble and write develop the necessary small muscle control which is expected in elementary school.

What else can I do?

Sometimes, when you are talking about a picture, it is fun just to print the names of things or label parts of the drawing.  As your child names the different parts, print the word next to it.  For example, print “tree” or “Daddy” or “car”.  Later, point to each word and read it back.  When finished, print your child’s name clearly on the picture. 

Look for more activities like these online at Grandparents Teach, Too and at WNMU Public Radio Learning through the Seasons Podcasts 

Illustrations: Mark Nowicki