Tips for Parents
(from NCTE brochure "How to Help Your Child Become a Better Writer")
Talk with your child about places you visit, work you do, books you read, or television programs you watch.
Encourage your child to read, especially things he or she chooses, and let your child see you read.
Praise your child's efforts at writing. Be primarily interested in content. Emphasize your child's success. For every error your child makes, there are a dozen things done well. Resist the tendency to focus only on errors of spelling, punctuation and other mechanical parts of writing.
Provide a suitable place for your child to write -- a flat surface, good light, a comfortable chair.
Give gifts (and encourage others to do the same for birthdays and special occasions) associated with writing: pens, pencils, pads of paper, stationery, a dictionary or thesaurus, erasers, stamps, computer disks, etc.
Encourage your child to write away for information, free samples, travel brochures, etc.
Be alert to occasions when your child can be involved in writing. Writing for real purposes is rewarding, and the daily activities of families present many opportunities for purposeful writing (telephone messages or notes to family member).