In today’s digital world, both in business and in our personal lives, we often communicate more through writing than through face-to-face contact. The ability to write clearly and effectively is considered to be one of the most important workforce skills. How we present ourselves in writing has a direct impact on how others form opinions of us. Although reading is an important aspect of developing good writing skills, the best way to improve writing will always be through writing.
Writing is a complex process that involves the interplay of many skills. So if you have a reluctant writer, you first will want to rule out a specific problem that might be holding them back, like fine motor skills or difficulties with working memory (see our Expert Advice on Writing). However, if the real problem is a just a lack of interest, you will want to find ways to encourage your reluctant writer.
Providing writing opportunities that relate to students’ everyday experiences and subjects they really care about can help make writing feel relevant and less like schoolwork. Always keep a child’s inherent interests in mind and find ways to match those interests with writing activities. The suggested approaches below will also help students better understand the important purpose that editing serves. Students will begin to appreciate why they need to have good grammar and spelling and how important it is to form a persuasive view. Here are some ideas the can encourage a child, particularly those who are more easily motivated by having a directed purpose for their writing:
This is one of many exclusive Mindprint guides found in the FREE Parent & Teacher Resources section of the Mindprint website. We hope it makes it easier for you to identify the source of your child’s struggles. If you’re looking for more detailed insight, consider a confidential Comprehensive Mindprint. Once you know the source of a child’s difficulties, search our free Toolbox to find research-backed strategies to support a struggling writer.