One of our readers has a three year old who is keen to write. Any tips or suggestions for how to encourage this would be great. What has worked for you and your little ones?
I don't think I did anything too much to encourage my daughter to write, however, we have a big Chalkboard/activity table we bought from target outside, and I was amazed when she just started drawing and writing on it from an early age. I think she was just copying what she saw us doing to a certain extent. Of course, I have wipe off books and various books to encourage pen skills, but she doesn't use them too much. I do try to photo copy stuff I give her from the book, so we can do it a few times, and she concentrates a little more on it. To encorage her love of words in general, we just spell and talk about things we see everyday. She was recognising stop signs and give ways signs very early, and i'm sure this love of the word has helped her to want to write more as well
By showing children that you value writing and reading you give them the motivation to want to do this too. Try to preserve their written efforts. Provide many excuses to write - lists, labels for collage pictures, stories. If your child is a keen writer you may want to help him create his own story books. Our family still tries to get the kids to write "thank you letters" to grandparents etc. for gifts or for taking them on outings. It's a pleasure to have kids who do want to write!
By reading back what they have written showing that you are interested in what they are doing and just encouring them that what they are doing ahs meaning to thema nd you.
My son is 3 and can write his initials by copying. We have always just encouraged him to write by giving him pencils, paper in an unlimited supply. He also likes the books you write on and wipe off as they can be used many times.
Glo Digital
Comments (4)
I don't think I did anything too much to encourage my daughter to write, however, we have a big Chalkboard/activity table we bought from target outside, and I was amazed when she just started drawing and writing on it from an early age. I think she was just copying what she saw us doing to a certain extent. Of course, I have wipe off books and various books to encourage pen skills, but she doesn't use them too much. I do try to photo copy stuff I give her from the book, so we can do it a few times, and she concentrates a little more on it. To encorage her love of words in general, we just spell and talk about things we see everyday. She was recognising stop signs and give ways signs very early, and i'm sure this love of the word has helped her to want to write more as well
By showing children that you value writing and reading you give them the motivation to want to do this too. Try to preserve their written efforts. Provide many excuses to write - lists, labels for collage pictures, stories. If your child is a keen writer you may want to help him create his own story books. Our family still tries to get the kids to write "thank you letters" to grandparents etc. for gifts or for taking them on outings. It's a pleasure to have kids who do want to write!
By reading back what they have written showing that you are interested in what they are doing and just encouring them that what they are doing ahs meaning to thema nd you.
My son is 3 and can write his initials by copying. We have always just encouraged him to write by giving him pencils, paper in an unlimited supply. He also likes the books you write on and wipe off as they can be used many times.