Positive Parenting: Encouraging writing at home

by Amanda Mathews

Preschoolers begin to write long before they learn to read. They scribble, make marks that look like letters, and try to copy down letters and symbols familiar to them or around them. Here are some practical ways to help your child of any age become more aware of, learn about, and practice writing.

Display your child’s writing in a special place. Whether you display their work on the refrigerator, a bedroom door, on a corkboard, or taped on the mirror in the bathroom, you’re signaling to your child that their writing is important and worthy of being shown.

Model writing for them. Whether writing a shopping list, letter, or e-mail, or completing an application, explain what you are doing and let your child join in. During play time, ask your child to tell you a story about the toys they are playing with or have them tell you a story about their day. When you are able to, write down exactly what your child tells you and then read it aloud to them. This will help build an understanding that print has meaning. You can even write your own story together and hang it up for your whole family to read.

Create greeting cards for special occasions. Provide paper, crayons, colored pencils, etc., so your child can make cards and then write phrases and sign their name when finished. Depending on your child’s age, you can show them cards that have phrases like the following for them to copy: “Happy Birthday,” “Get Well Soon,” and “ I Love You.”

Create an “office” for your child. Include different types of paper, envelopes, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, pens, stickers, and labels on a shelf near a desk or table. Or, you can place materials in a basket for your child to take to a more comfortable place to write with a clipboard. You could also add more interesting materials, like an address or date book, calendars, and an old computer keyboard.

Give writing tasks while running errands. Have your child write a shopping list or a reverse shopping list of all the things you bought. If they cannot write yet, have them draw a picture. Provide a pad and pencil so they can write down what you buy while you are at the store. You can even have them cross things off your grocery list and do it together.

Activity Highlight: Water Pouring Station

A water-pouring station is easy to create. Use a shallow tote and any containers around your house. Enjoy watching your child mix colors, gauge amounts, and just have fun. Image from pinterest.com

In a shallow tote or bin, place a variety of containers, for example, spoons, measuring cups, and pipettes or a turkey baster. These do not need to be fancy. Anything you have around your home will work great. Fill some of the containers with water, then let your child explore! You can add food coloring or watercolors for an added color-mixing feature.

Amanda Mathews is a mother of two girls and Stockbridge’s Young 5s teacher. She has been in the early childhood field for over ten years. Her family moved to Gregory two years ago, and they love getting to be part of this amazing community.