WRITING IN MIND: 8 WAYS TO PUT WRITING FIRST, KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 3RD GRADE As your child gets ready to head back to school, there’s a whole world of subjects that she will encounter—math, reading, social studies, science—and of course, writing. Instilling a love for writing is often difficult, because many teachers focus on a young writer’s spelling and grammar mistakes over the feelings and thoughts expressed in the story. With some encouragement at home, however, a love for writing can be created early. “Putting words down on paper helps a child clarify his thoughts and helps him to think through complex issues,” says Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D., vice president of education for Sylvan Learning Center. “It also helps him to communicate with other people and, most important, lets him express himself.” Bavaria says when it comes to a love for writing it is important that parents set a good example. “Children need to see that what they are learning in school is relevant to their lives,” Bavaria says. “Whether they see their parents writing for work or for pleasure, children should understand that writing is a major form of communication.” Here are some tips that will help make your child a stronger, more creative writer: The Right Tools. In the classroom, your child probably will be required to use a standard #2 pencil and ruled paper. At home, let her use whatever she wants—markers, glitter pens, construction paper, anything. The more excited she is about her tools, the more she will want to use them. Summer Scrapbook. As the summer winds down, organize a memory book with photos and creative captions is a great way for your young writer to express her thoughts about summer. Summer Vacation Fantasies. Although the summer vacation is a staple of back-to-school writing assignments, your child isn’t bound to the truth when she answers this question at home. Encourage her to describe her ideal summer, whether that is a trip to China or a trip to the moon. Goals. With younger children, there are many goals that need to be accomplished right along with reading and writing. Encourage your child to write down nontraditional goals in a diary, such as learning to ride a bike or tie her own shoes. Book Reviews. With your help, your younger child can create book reviews based on his summer reading. These can come in handy later in the year, when book reports roll around and you need to find a good book. Poems. Although poems are often thought of as a serious form of writing, limericks are some of the most creative—and funny—ways to write. Teach your child the rhyme scheme, and together you can create funny poems for the whole family. E-mail Account. With proper supervision, even the youngest kids can get a lot out of an e-mail account. E-mail is a great way for your child to update family members about what’s going on in school, and is also a fun way for children to communicate with each other. Read. Simply put, the best way to be a good writer is to be a good reader. Children who read a varied selection of books have a better sense of what sounds good. Set aside time each night to read with your child, a habit that can continue throughout the school year. Bavaria says a regular reader is more likely to take up writing as a hobby. “Just like children emulate their favorite sport starts and heroes, they frequently emulate their favorite writers,” Bavaria says. “Most authors will tell you they were inspired by a favorite writer.”