Is Your Child An Author in the Making?

Reading and writing are paramount to a child's educational success.

Yet, as a parent it can be frustratingly difficult to get a child to sit down and practice these skills - whether it is July or January.
I was recently told a story that sounded very familiar.

A woman with three young children was having trouble getting her kids excited about reading and writing, especially during the summer months when they needed it the most.

It was particularly the older two - nine and seven years old - who caused her concern. Here they were at a very critical stage in the learning process.

Abandoning practice of this challenging skill was truly hurtful to their progress in school.

I had suggested that she use our safe site to help the kids create an eBook or a keepsake in print. Often the incentive of having something to hold on to, to show off, or even to sell, is enough to inspire kids. However, she was concerned that they weren't yet mature enough to sit down to write and illustrate an actual book.

I worked to convince her otherwise and, low and behold, together, the three created something truly wonderful.

Many children are more capable when it comes to storytelling than their inhibited adult counterparts. Creative writings are about allowing one's imagination to run wild. Does your child do any of the following? • Recount Fantastical Dreams - Adult dreams will generally mimic real life in large part. However, kids can dream far outside the box, bringing to life knights, dragons, princesses, fairies, and more in their imaginations.

These dreams are wonderful catalysts for storytelling.

Asking a child about the dreams he or she has each morning is a great way to inspire creativity. • Play Dress Up - Whether it is in mom's dresses and high heels, dad's tool belt and hard hat, or in old Halloween costumes, dress up requires a large degree of imagination.
Ask your child to 'set a scene' where that costume would be worn.
• Set up Scenes - Have whole battle fields been assembled on your kitchen table? Has a bunk bed become a dark cave, complete with the scary bear guarding the entrance? Where is Barbie going when she leaves the Dream House in her sports car? If you watch your children, you will find all the evidence that you need that they are capable story tellers.

Give them the inspiration to write something more entertaining than school writings and you will likely be pleasantly surprised.