Make My Kid Love Writing: Parent Masterclass
Chapter 1

Writing as Play

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IN THIS LESSON

The teaching strategy that gave WordPlay its name— writing as a form of play!

We'll talk about how writing is a skill that takes time to learn and that struggling with it doesn't mean a kid hates it. There's also the whole deal about kids feeling intimidated by the perfect writing they see in books, and how the high expectations and pressure on their writing can really weigh them down. We'll also dive into the physical side of writing-- for younger kids, holding a pencil and writing can be physically tough.

To tackle these hurdles, we'll discuss having direct, open chats with kids about what's frustrating them about writing. I'll go over the importance of asking kids to "say things another way", so adults can be certain they actually understand the issue.

We'll then discuss the concept of writing as play! This approach is all about removing the fear of failure, letting kids take risks, and just have fun with their writing without any expectations.

Outline

Reasons for Resistance to Writing

  1. Writing as a Learned Skill:

    • Acknowledge that writing is learned and inexperience may lead to fear and resistance.

    • Emphasize that struggle with writing doesn’t equate to disliking it.

  2. Perfection Pressure:

    • Recognize the impact of constant exposure to polished, professional writing.

    • Understand that this perfection can be intimidating and unrealistic for children.

  3. Pressure and Expectations:

    • Be aware of the high expectations and pressure placed on kids in their writing.

    • Realize that too many expectations can be overwhelming.

  4. Confidence Issues:

    • Identify lack of confidence as a major barrier to enjoying writing.

    • Understand that confidence can be built and improved over time.

  5. Physical Challenges:

    • Recognize the physical aspect of writing, especially for younger kids with developing fine motor skills.

Tackling the Resistance

  • Direct Conversations:

    • Encourage asking children directly about their dislikes in writing.

    • Prompt them to rephrase or explain their issues differently for better understanding.

    • Use the additional materials provided for common phrases and their underlying meanings.

Writing as Play

  • Adopting a Playful Approach:

    • Treat writing like play, similar to how children engage with Legos.

    • Remove the stakes associated with failure and success.

    • Encourage exploration, risk-taking, and creativity in writing without strict expectations.

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding and Empathy: Gain insight into why a child might resist writing.

  • Encouraging Creativity: Foster a playful and pressure-free environment for writing.