As parents you may wonder how you could help your child develop in this area. I would make the following suggestions:
Encourage your child to write, even if they are scribbling
Give your child the opportunity to practice writing by helping them sign birthday cards, write stories, and make lists.
Encourage your child to read their stories out loud
As your child gets older, ask them to share their stories with you. Listen carefully without interrupting, and give them positive feedback about their ideas and writing.
Help your child write letters and emails to relatives and friends
These may include thank you notes or just a special note to say hello. Be sure to send your child a letter or card once in a while too so that they are reminded of how special it is to get these.
Respond to your child's writing
Respond to the ideas your child expresses verbally or in writing. Make it clear that you are interested in what the writing conveys, which means focusing on "what" the child has written rather than "how" it was written. It is usually wise to ignore minor errors, particularly at the stage when your child is just getting ideas together.
Praise your child's writing
Take a positive approach and find good things to say about your child's writing.
Reading and writing support each other. The more your child does of each, the better they will be at both. Reading can also stimulate your child to write about their own family or school life. As you read and write more with your child, you will be building an important foundation, and taking steps that will help your child to become a better reader, writer, and student. Your efforts now will make a difference — and it may be just the difference that your child needs to succeed
Michelle Stevens
Head of Dąbrowskiego