10 Easy steps to help a struggling young writer
Signs your child could use a writing tutor and 10 easy ways parents can help their children build key skills and learn to enjoy writing.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes and not as a medical service or assessment regarding dyslexia, dysgraphia, or any other learning disorder. Consult your pediatrician or a professional in this area for further assistance.
Do you worry that your child is struggling with writing? Is it a battle to get your child to sit down and write using even the most basic skills? Believe it or not, you’re not alone!
If you look at Cathy Duffy’s list of writing curriculums, a homeschooling resource focusing on curriculum, you can see over 100 options available. And that’s not even including the state-based curriculum used in traditional schools!
Why?
Because kids learn differently, and not all curriculums work for everyone. On top of that, there are a lot of different elements in play when it comes to writing. There is sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, putting cohesive thoughts together, and putting pencil to paper. While your child may do well at one or more of these elements, figuring out which piece of the puzzle is causing the problem is a challenge.
So, how do you know if your child needs writing support? In this article, we’re looking at how you can determine if your child needs supplemental help and practical ways parents can help their kids build writing skills.
Before we discuss the steps you can take to help your child, let’s look at how to tell if your child may have a writing problem.
Detecting a writing problem
How do you know if your child needs writing support? For some families, it is obvious during the early stages when a child is first learning to write. For others, it may be harder to detect. While not every child loves writing, there is a difference between struggling to write and just wishing they were outside playing.
Here are some signs that may indicate your child could benefit from additional writing assistance:
Poor writing skills
As mentioned above, numerous factors go into writing, and there is a big difference between the writing skills of a beginner and someone who has years of practice in school or at home.
If your child consistently struggles with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, it may be a sign that they need help with the fundamentals of writing.
For older children, you may find that they struggle to edit and revise their work effectively, leaving errors uncorrected or making minimal improvements, a sign that they need support in the revision process.
Creative blockage
On the other hand, your child may not have any issues with how they write but with what they write.
If your child has trouble organizing their thoughts coherently on paper, creating a logical flow of ideas, or structuring their essays and assignments effectively, they may be experiencing creative blockage. Unfortunately, this causes some kids to think that they are not creative writers.
That’s not the case!
Sometimes, their writing lacks creativity, engagement, or expression when overwhelmed by all the ideas they could use. Instead, their writing may appear dull and uninspired when they do have the potential to do much more. If this is what you see when reading your child’s writing, it might indicate they need assistance enhancing their writing style.
Falling grades
A sudden drop in writing-related grades or a consistent pattern of low marks in writing assignments can indicate that your child is struggling with writing. If your child's writing skills are significantly below their grade level, it's a clear indication that they may benefit from tutoring or additional help.
Take note of any feedback from your child's teachers regarding their writing skills. Teachers often provide valuable insights into areas where students may need support.
How to help a struggling writer
If you feel that your child falls under any of these categories, there are solutions to help. Whether your child is a reluctant writer or is missing key developmental milestones with their writing, the suggestions below can help
1. Read together
Reading and writing go hand-in-hand when it comes to growing writing confidence. Children who love to write are often inspired by the books they read. Kids who do not like to write, attribute it to not knowing what to write about.
Reading can improve writing skills by exposing your child to a wide range of writing styles and vocabulary. Encourage them to read regularly. Reading is fundamental to improving writing skills. Read unique books to help build a love for reading and master the craft together. Discuss the stories, characters, and plots to promote comprehension and analytical thinking.
Have your child read their writing aloud to you or join a virtual books club where they can read aloud or in a group. Doing so can help them catch errors, improve sentence flow, and grow their confidence when they realize they’re not alone.
2. Seek outside expertise
Sometimes, having someone to support your journey can be a huge help and remove any pressure you’re feeling about supporting your child. At Outschool, numerous teachers offer writing tutoring.
This includes classes like IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing), which offers theme-based writing courses that remove the need to generate creative ideas. Your child may also benefit from creative writing clubs and classes, or 1-on-1 tutoring sessions to work on overcoming these setbacks. For older kids, you may want to consider Outschool essay writing classes, like the 5-paragraph essay.
3. Provide a writing-friendly environment
Create a supportive environment at home where your child can practice writing without fear of judgment. You may also want to ensure your child has access to writing materials like notebooks, pens, pencils, and a computer or tablet if applicable. Having these tools readily available can inspire them to write.
4. Set a writing routine
Establish a consistent writing routine. Encourage your child to write for a set amount of time each day, whether it's journaling, writing stories, or even sending emails to relatives. For example, having time to write in a journal allows them to use daily experiences, thoughts, and feelings to improve vocabulary and self-expression.
5. Offer writing prompts
Provide writing prompts or ideas to spark your child's creativity. Find prompts online or create your own based on their interests. You can also find several age-appropriate prompts with a simple online search or using pre-made curriculum by teachers on sites like Teachers Pay Teachers.
If you want someone to walk your child through the creative writing process, look for writing prompt classes based on their interests or skill level.
6. Edit and revise together
After your child has written something, review and edit it together. This helps them learn about grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Believe it or not, kids want to see that adults struggle and are human too, so learn along with them and share your writing struggles as you edit emails or papers you’re working on together.
7. Expand vocabulary
Motivate your child to use new words in their writing. Play spelling games using hands-on interactive tools like Scrabble, Banana Grams, or A Little Wordy. For older kids, you can play word games, puzzles, crossword puzzles, and activities to expand their vocabulary.
Your child can also join a group and play together as they learn about vocabulary and spelling.
8. Support their interests
Suggest your child write about topics they’re passionate about. Whether it's nature, sports, animals, or their hobbies, allowing them to write about what interests them can boost motivation.
9. Use technology wisely
While technology can be a valuable tool for writing, limit screen time for non-educational purposes. Encourage writing by hand as well as typing on a computer. For neurodiverse learners, having accessible learning tools such as voice-to-text to help with writing or installing a read-aloud extension can remove some of the stress associated with reviewing and editing.
10. Celebrate Writing Achievements
Celebrate your child's writing achievements, no matter how small. Display their work on a special "writing wall" or create a scrapbook of their writings. The goal is to find joy in the process. Remember that every child is unique, and their writing difficulties may have various underlying causes.
Early intervention and support can make a significant difference in improving your child's writing skills and confidence. Outschool is here to help give you the resources your family needs.
