Writing Strategies

	Writing is a skill that requires a great deal of time and practice to develop. The more a child writes, the better the child will become. The most effective means of improving your child's skills are encouragement, positive feedback, and active participation in his/her development. Just as children read for a variety of purposes, they should write for a variety of purposes. Consider giving your child opportunities to practice various forms of writing and for various audiences. He or she should be able to articulate which purpose informs the writing. There are three types of writing. Narrative writing is used to tell a story, informative writing is is to explain something, and persuasive writing is used to convince someone to do/see/agree with something.
Suggestions for parents to encourage writing: * Encourage your child to write letters to friends and relatives. * Encourage your child to keep a journal or diary. * Encourage your child to create picture books, cartoons, posters * Don't miss opportunities to encourage your child to write; for example, instead of you making out the family grocery list, have your child do it. * Allow your child to address envelopes when you pay bills. * Keep writing supplies within reach.
	Writing Prompts * Today I feel happy about... * Sometimes I laugh about... * It makes me mad when... * If I were ten feet tall, I... * When I was little, I...When I am older, I... * When I'm in a good mood... * When I'm in a bad mood... * I think vacations are... * The last time I got in trouble... * Once I dreamed... * A sport I would like to be good at is... * A good pet would be... * A good education means... * Tell what to do in a fire drill. * Pretend you can go back in history. Who would you meet?
* With my magic glasses I can see... * Describe a snowstorm... * You own a store. Name it and describe it. * List 10 ways to write without a pencil. * The most important rule of all is... * My favorite TV commercial is... * When I grow up, I want to be... * My favorite place to visit is... * Describe how to make a bed. * Describe how to wash a car. * Rain is... * Good nutrition means... * What would you do if you could become invisible? * When someone plays a trick on me, I feel... * A holiday I would change is...
	* What if it rained 40 days and 40 nights? * Things to do when it snows are... * Write a letter to a famous person from history. * Make a list of things you might find in a doctor's office. * Describe your chores at home. * Make a list of objects that are both little and soft. * Write your name and the names of five friends in alphabetical order. * Name as many things as you can that have the shape of a cube. * Tell about a career that interests you.