Writing versus Handwriting

 

Only one more day in this ten-day series on raising your kids to be lifelong learners. Have you been reading along? We’ve discussed cultivating a learning environment, the importance of early literacy skills,developing a love of reading, play and toy storage. We also talked about developing great work ethics through chores and projects.

Let’s talk a little bit about writing and creativity today.

 

Raising Lifelong Learners a Ten Day Series via www.RaisingLifelongLearners.com Day Nine

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I get many emails or comments asking me to share what I am doing to teach my kids writing. And, to be honest, it’s an area in which I struggle too. The whole “shoemaker’s kids going shoeless thing… this writer’s kids don’t learn writing.”

Or do they?

I think it’s so important, first, that we take a good, hard look at what we are considering writing. Because, to be honest, I think many of us – parents, homeschoolers, and even classroom teachers – mistake handwriting for writing.

Writing is a creative process, handwriting is a physical one.

When we tie the two together, we place limits on a child’s creativity. In order to raise our kids to become lifelong learners, we need to encourage their creativity and give them developmentally appropriate ways to express it.

 

Raising Lifelong Learners a Ten Day Series via www.RaisingLifelongLearners.com Day Nine

 

A child who struggles with the physical act of writing his thoughts on paper can type, dictate while a parent writes for him, or use software like Dragon Naturally Speaking to get their thoughts on paper. The ultimate goal in writing is to have children who are able to craft stories with compelling beginnings, middles, and endings. And the goal for nonfiction writing like reports is to be able to pull together facts that are substantiated, but still interesting to read.

Handwriting still needs to be addressed because there is a great deal of brain research that suggests a connection between fluid writing {like cursive} and creative and critical thinking. And, let’s face it, there is a high likelihood that your child will need to fill out some type of form or write a list at some point in his future.

As a parent, I struggle with this.

I want my kids {especially my almost 11 year old son} to be able to pick up a pen and notebook, and write. I want him to write out a story instead of telling me about it… at length. I want him to keep a journal of his wonderful ideas and not talk about them over and over again. I want him to stop grumbling about the handful of sentences he is asked to write in preparation for his FLL team meeting.

Raising Lifelong Learners a Ten Day Series via www.RaisingLifelongLearners.com Day Nine

 

In the last year I have gotten a little better. I use lapbooks to focus Trevor’s research and writing on topics of interest because I can keep the mini books, well… mini. Each one is designed to present a bite-sized amount of information that is just enough for him to write before his arm withers, dies, and falls off, completely useless for the rest of his life {based on the reaction I get when asking him to write more than this, I assume this is what would happen}.

Because I think he needs to formalize his thinking a bit more when it comes to writing now, we’re trying a classical approach. It’ll serve the dual purpose of studying great classics including myths, fables, and other stories, copying them, and using resources like the thesaurus. I purchased this hoping it will help us move to the next step – becoming a cohesive writer – without stifling the creativity I hear when he tells me his stories.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

Raising Lifelong Learners a Ten Day Series via www.RaisingLifelongLearners.com Day Nine

 

Really, though, I urge you in your quest to grow your kids into lifelong learners, to watch and adapt to them. If writing becomes a struggle, find ways to make it fun. Play games, encourage your little one to play princess and tell you her life’s story, act things out, and talk. Above all, enjoy their creativity and tell them that they’re great and creative writers. When they ask why you’re calling the a writer when they aren’t “writing,” explain that writers, authors, don’t pick up a pen and put it to paper every time they craft a story.

Sometimes they dictate it, or type it, or use an iPad, or their phone.

And any way is okay – as long as your child remembers to keep imagining… and researching… and discovering.

Forget about the physical act of writing for a bit {come back to it, but don’t make it the focus}, and embrace the creativity.

What strategies can you share to help your little {or big} learners embrace their creativity and become writers? Share in the comments so we can all benefit.

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