DMG_sylvannewsletter1

JUST WRITE

Kids make dozens of excuses to get out of writing. Uncover the problems behind the excuses to help them succeed.

Though it is one of the most important skills children need to learn, writing can be a difficult task. Even students who are on par with their reading and vocabulary sometimes have trouble translating those skills into a comprehensive story or essay. The first step to helping your child is identifying the problem. Here are a few common obstacles and some tips to overcome them.

Perfectionism

A child who has difficulty with spelling, punctuation or handwriting often sacrifices quality and depth because he or she is concentrating too much on the mechanics of writing. Students who are concerned with doing it right the first time may opt for simple words or sentence structures to avoid negative consequences, such as a bad grade.

These children often benefit from making writing a process. Before writing even begins, have your child make lists of key words that remind them of what they want to say. Next, ask him or her to write a sentence for each word. When that step is complete, make spelling, punctuation and organization the focus. Now is the time to pull out the dictionary, instead of looking up words and interrupting the flow of ideas while you're writing.

For younger children just learning how to write, don't emphasize the way each letter looks when they are working on a writing assignment. You can always go back to make corrections. Older children hindered by handwriting may consider using a computer or typewriter so they can focus on what, not how, they are writing.

Memory

Children with good short-term memory but weak long-term memory may have difficulty writing because they forget what they want to say before they can write it all down. Their work may seem incomplete and even slightly incomprehensible because important details are left out.

Try recording the piece verbally first. Use a small tape recorder or even a video camera to record the child's thoughts, or an adult can listen and take notes. Then play the tape or read the notes while the child writes it down. With this technique, children who get caught up trying to remember everything can be more creative.

Visualize

On the other hand, some children simply have trouble with proper sequencing. A visual or tactile learner may have this problem because he or she cannot envision the story line in words as much as in pictures. In this case, a story or essay probably includes good detail, but not in the most logical order. Teaching children to process their thoughts is important when helping them to write better.

Have the child visualize what he or she wants to say before beginning to write. Outlines and story webs help a child map out thoughts and focus ideas in a way that makes more sense to the reader. With really young children, it may help to have them draw several pictures, put them in story order and then write about each picture.

- Leslie Garrett


	JUST WRITE Kids make dozens of excuses to get out of writing. Uncover the problems behind the excuses to help them succeed. Though it is one of the most important skills children need to learn, writing can be a difficult task. Even students who are on par with their reading and vocabulary sometimes have trouble translating those skills into a comprehensive story or essay. The first step to helping your child is identifying the problem. Here are a few common obstacles and some tips to overcome them. Perfectionism A child who has difficulty with spelling, punctuation or handwriting often sacrifices quality and depth because he or she is concentrating too much on the mechanics of writing. Students who are concerned with doing it right the first time may opt for simple words or sentence structures to avoid negative consequences, such as a bad grade. These children often benefit from making writing a process. Before writing even begins, have your child make lists of key words that remind them of what they want to say. Next, ask him or her to write a sentence for each word. When that step is complete, make spelling, punctuation and organization the focus. Now is the time to pull out the dictionary, instead of looking up words and interrupting the flow of ideas while you're writing. For younger children just learning how to write, don't emphasize the way each letter looks when they are working on a writing assignment. You can always go back to make corrections. Older children hindered by handwriting may consider using a computer or typewriter so they can focus on what, not how, they are writing. Memory Children with good short-term memory but weak long-term memory may have difficulty writing because they forget what they want to say before they can write it all down. Their work may seem incomplete and even slightly incomprehensible because important details are left out. Try recording the piece verbally first. Use a small tape recorder or even a video camera to record the child's thoughts, or an adult can listen and take notes. Then play the tape or read the notes while the child writes it down. With this technique, children who get caught up trying to remember everything can be more creative. Visualize On the other hand, some children simply have trouble with proper sequencing. A visual or tactile learner may have this problem because he or she cannot envision the story line in words as much as in pictures. In this case, a story or essay probably includes good detail, but not in the most logical order. Teaching children to process their thoughts is important when helping them to write better. Have the child visualize what he or she wants to say before beginning to write. Outlines and story webs help a child map out thoughts and focus ideas in a way that makes more sense to the reader. With really young children, it may help to have them draw several pictures, put them in story order and then write about each picture. - Leslie Garrett