Children Writing in the National Curriculum

Everyday at school your child will do some writing. Whether it is poetry, stories, or beyond the literacy lessons in other national curriculum subjects, children's writing takes many forms. At times national curriculum English may feel boring or arduous and divorced from real life, which is why parents are in a good position to support their children's learning. They can help their children's writing skills by practising in real-life situations at home or while out.

By practising writing in everyday life, children are consolidating the learning which takes place in national curriculum Literacy, and laying down the foundations upon which their writing skills for life will be based.

To help you encourage your child to develop their writing skills we have some top tips.

1. A place where children can write

Create an atmosphere for writing, somewhere quiet and light with a good supporting surface. Equipment to have on hand include pens and pencils, pencil sharpener, paper, envelopes, stapler, hole punch, dictionary and thesaurus. Your child's mood is important, too, so make sure they are not too tired or stressed.

2. Children's writing in everyday life

Talk to your child about the role of writing in everyday life - not only to pass exams, write essays and so forth, but think about how a magazine article came about, the work gone into creating a website, or how essential it is to take part in a chat forum, email friends or even send text messages.

3. Give children a reason to write

Talk about some of the underlying reasons we write. What about communicating our feelings, to give information, for pleasure or self expression? What are the things we know today that would have been lost had they not been written down?

4. Writing lists

Writing shopping and to do lists, filling in forms, birthday cards, keeping a diary, writing reminder notes, post cards, emails and invitations - all are everyday tasks that you can get your child to do, or help with.

5. Writing messages

Ask your child to take messages for you when you are too busy to come to the phone, and to write thank you notes to people who have done something for you or them - after receiving a birthday gift, perhaps.

6. Children's pen pals

What about a pen pal? The practice of getting children to create pen friendships seems to be dying out but it is a great way to get them to write about things that interest them. Children often feel excited about getting their own letters in the post.

7. Getting your child to talk about writing

If your child ever gets stuck on a piece of ‘writing' homework, get them to stop for a while and to talk through what it is they have been asked to do. Ask, ‘What can I use to inspire my child's writing?' A personal experience, the environment, current affairs or the current storyline from a favourite television programme.

8. Children's writing practice

Help your child to practice writing by getting him or her to describe a personal interest. Tell them that you have trouble understanding the rules in a game of football or can't work out why they are so interested in cartwheeling or ballet; ask them to explain it to you in writing.

9. Extend their writing

As a variation of the tip above, the next time your son or daughter makes a request for something, perhaps a new pair of trainers or to go out with a friend, why not ask them to put it in writing?

10. Writing about feelings

Something bothering your child? Perhaps he or she will find it easier to write it down and get it off their mind.

Useful sources

Getting the Buggers to Write, Sue Cowley

Flying Start With Literacy, Ros Bayley and Lynn Broadbent