How Did You Help Your Child Become A Better Writer?

[Anonymous]

As a parent, what sort of things did you do to improve your child's writing proficiency (other than reading) and help him/her become a good writer?


Did you make him/her do book reports?

Was he/she required to compete in essay contests? Did you extensively proofread or provide feedback on his/her writing?

Did he/she keep a journal? Was your child ever required to work through grammar books?

[Anonymous]

Hired a top notch writing tutor. Made a world of difference.

[Anonymous]

As a parent, what sort of things did you do to improve your child's writing proficiency (other than reading) and help him/her become a good writer?


Did you make him/her do book reports?

Was he/she required to compete in essay contests? Did you extensively proofread or provide feedback on his/her writing?

Did he/she keep a journal? Was your child ever required to work through grammar books?

My child was a voracious reader and in high school won the National Council Teachers of English award. That's all we did. She read, read, read.

[Anonymous]

There is the mechanics of writing - grammar, punctuation, clarity- that one can learn by careful editing and revision.

The creative aspect of writing is more difficult to master - how to have a personal voice or be persuasive or present an original thought or a humorous point of view.

Good writing also takes a considerable amount of time...and a lot of time is taken up in just thinking about what you want to write or how you interpret the prompt.

In my opinion, kids find it embarrassing to have a personal voice. They feel that they are exposing their own inner beliefs or emotions. So whatever you do - do not laugh about what they have written.

Discussing my child's writing assignments, which usually has themes of romance/sex, betrayal, adultery - everything that great literature contains (Shakespeare - OMG) - without getting flustered myself - was the way I signaled to her that she could use her personal voice, emotions and views in her writing and that I won't judge her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hired a top notch writing tutor. Made a world of difference.

No OP but can you recommend someone or place? TIA

[Anonymous]

Encourage your child to keep a journal--and don't read it unless you are given permission.
Have your child write thank-you notes for any gift.

[Anonymous]

I require that all school writing assignments be completed far in advance, and that they be subject to at least one round of revisions.

And, like 12:59, I recommend discussing the assignments before pen gets put to paper.

Sometimes it is painful, but he is making progress. Real writers edit and rewrite time and again. I'm teaching him the craft.

[Anonymous]

Give them good books for read from the time they are toddlers

Only let them watch a few hours of TV / video games a week

[Anonymous]

If any of you can recommend writing tutors, that would be great--especially for high school students.

TIA

[Anonymous]

Remind them that a lot of red ink (corrections from the teacher) is normal and not a judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remind them that a lot of red ink (corrections from the teacher) is normal and not a judgment.

Do they still do that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remind them that a lot of red ink (corrections from the teacher) is normal and not a judgment.

Do they still do that?

Yes, in ms and hs.

[Anonymous]

It is very hard in HS. They think that you are criticizing THEM. They cannot get a distance from their writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hired a top notch writing tutor. Made a world of difference.

How did you find such a writing tutor?

[Anonymous]

My kids write A LOT in school. Their school does a lot of outline and draft work which really helps the thought process of writing. They also have strong grammar and punctuation skills reinforced.