Reading and writing go hand in hand, but did you know that practicing writing can actually improve a child’s literacy skills? Various studies have clearly demonstrated the tremendously positive impact that writing can have on reading comprehension and fluency.

The summer months are a fantastic time for your child to see how fun writing can be! Encourage your child to write as much as possible using the suggestions and links below. The best part is, all your child needs to improve their writing skills is paper, a pencil, and their own imagination and creativity!

• Help your child create a special place of their own to jot down their thoughts and observations by making a personalized journal. Instructions here.

• Get the juices flowing by asking your child to answer a thought provoking prompt from this list.

• Inspire your child by reading a book written as a journal from the main character’s point of view. Find a list of some books here.

• Use a free website like Blogger or Wordpress to create a blog where your child can journal or focus on an issue they care about. Here are some parent-supervised, but kid created blogs that might inspire your child to share their thoughts with the world: Neverseconds, Long Journey Ahead, Young Fermanagh Naturalist. 

• Read a book and use the story to spark some writing by using one of these suggestions from Scholastic.