A great way to encourage writing is getting a journal for
your child. Journal writing has several benefits. First, it gets your child
writing more and developing their own voice. It also gives them a space where
they won’t feel like they are being graded or judged. Make sure that you give
them their space and that they understand that private is private.
Don’t worry too much about if they are spelling things
right or if they are writing their letters right – this is their space to try
and explore. Journal writing can be an extension of private speech for younger
children. Developmental psychologists have found that private speech (when
children engage in their own private dialogue) helps young children internalize
rules and morals. It allows them to “think outloud” as they are trying to
figure new situations.
This can also be helpful as they are starting to learn to
regulate their emotions in age appropriate ways. They may want to share what
they write with you from time to time, but make sure that if they want privacy
that you give it to them. Developing a relationship of trust will be invaluable
as your child is older. You can give them a small speller or dictionary if you
want them to do their best with accuracy, but remember, the focus of a journal
is just to get them writing, not necessarily to do it perfectly.
No comments:
Post a Comment