Children’s writing tips
Writing is a crucial skill for children to develop to assist them with their futures and expand their knowledge on how writing works. It is also a great way for pupils to express their feelings and learn other topics whilst developing their writing skills. However, it can be difficult to think of different, engaging ways to help pupils develop their writing skills. To help you, we have provided some children’s writing tips to use in the classroom.
Set up a comfortable space
Before you encourage pupils to improve their writing skills, it is important to set up a comfortable space for them in your classroom. Ensure that tables are put together so that children can socialise and work together whilst writing. Have comfortable chairs or even beanbags so they can relax and feel like they have escaped their usual routine. Doing this will help them to improve their writing skills and motivate them to write.
Have the right supplies available
Children love to experiment especially when it comes to writing so provide them with a variety of writing supplies that they can use. For younger pupils, have easy to grip pencils and crayons to get them used to holding writing equipment and develop their fine motor skills.
For older pupils, entice them to write with a wide range of supplies that will get them excited. This could be bright coloured paper, diaries to keep, pens, felt pens and a range of pencils. Consider supplying fun stationery such as animal rubbers too to further encourage them to write.
Model good writing practices
The best way pupils can learn and grow their writing skills is from yourself. Model good writing practices and show children why we write and when to use different styles. Modelling good writing can be as simple as showing your class when you need to write and why. Or you can show children when they are writing if you see common errors being made.
Set your pupils small yet fun writing tasks such as writing letters to loved ones or arguing a case to the local government. During these tasks walk around the classroom and see how they are doing. Model writing to them individually and as a class by creating short examples in front of them. Children will be able to see what you are doing and mirror the way you write.
Create writing games
One of the best children’s writing tips is to create writing games. Doing this will encourage pupils to build their writing skills whilst having plenty of fun. There are many writing games you can play and create for children to have fun with writing.
You could cut up words and place in the middle of tables and challenge your pupils to make a story using them. Once done, they can write the story they have created out and read it to the class. You can challenge your class to write a play in groups and act them out in front of everyone. Offer costumes and props to entice them to write and create a performance.
There are also many online games that help children broaden their writing skills and learn more about the purposes of writing. Research the best ones and spend some time playing online. You can do this as a class using your smartboard.
Encourage pupils to keep a diary
Show your pupils the power of words through keeping diaries. Encouraging children to keep a diary allows them to develop their writing skills whilst expressing their emotions and unloading any troubles they may have. Let pupils know they can document anything in their life from school to their personal life.
Hand each pupil a diary for them to keep and encourage them to take it home and bring back into class once a week. Set time aside in the week to write an entry during school and to have discussions with children to offer support. Having diaries helps children to problem solve and is also a fantastic way to keep track of your pupil’s mental health and flag any issues that may come up.
You can also track homework and children’s progress in their work with a homework diary too. This further improves their writing skills as well.
Use writing guidelines and other resources
Use guidelines and other writing resources to assist pupils with their writing skills and make teaching that little bit easier. Guidelines are perfect for helping children learn styles of writing and how letters should look. It guides them to create neat handwriting that can transfer over into their written work.
Research other writing resources you can use to improve pupils’ handwriting whilst making this subject fun. Make sure you explore all aspects of writing through resources such as verbs, nouns and adjectives and how they are used in writing.
Teach pupils the purposes of writing & their differences
Through your activities, it is important to teach pupils the different purposes of writing and how they vary. Some of the reasons we write are to persuade, entertain, inform or explain. Writing can also be used to show emotions too.
Get your pupils to think about what they are writing and why. Question them when they are completing a writing task and get them to talk you through their process. You could even put pupils in groups and hold a discussion critically analysing the writing they have done. Ask them to work together to find the differences between each different writing style piece, giving them independence and improving their problem-solving skills.
Use these children’s writing tips to enhance their writing skills and knowledge whilst having fun. Encourage your pupils to continue building on their writing outside of the classroom to further develop these crucial skills. Tweak these activities and tips for struggling pupils and for different ages such as thinking about age-appropriate writing tasks to set that is achievable for your year group.
Need some more English inspiration for your lessons? Check out our ‘effective ways to teach phonics’ blog.
