{"id":3839,"date":"2016-03-20T12:00:12","date_gmt":"2016-03-20T17:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.activityhero.com\/blog\/?p=3839"},"modified":"2021-02-09T21:57:32","modified_gmt":"2021-02-10T05:57:32","slug":"how-to-inspire-a-love-of-creative-writing-in-your-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ahblog.activityhero.com\/how-to-inspire-a-love-of-creative-writing-in-your-child\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Inspire a Love of Creative Writing in Your Child"},"content":{"rendered":"

A\u00a0professional writer shares inspiring secrets and 9 games to help inspire your kids to find the fun in putting words on a page. (Smash book, anyone?)<\/h2>\n

By Reesa Lewandowski<\/h3>\n

\"creative-writing\"
\nAs a blogger, I know that staring at a blank page can be daunting. I also know how good it feels once it\u2019s filled with words that (I hope!) can help other people. By inspiring your children to love writing (especially if they now say they hate to write), you\u2019ll be giving them a gift that lasts a lifetime. Strong writing skills are important everywhere — on a school exam, in a college course, and at the workplace. Here are a few of the things that bolstered my<\/em> love of writing — and how they can give your reluctant writer the boost he or she needs.<\/p>\n

Do Some \u201cCreative Reading\u201d with Your Child<\/h3>\n

One of the best ways to get kids to love to write is through reading to them. Ask your child to point out phrases and words that he finds fun or interesting. Encourage him to predict what might happen in the next chapter. Almost every child loves to share their opinion.<\/p>\n

See a list of writing classes near you > ><\/a><\/h4>\n

Create a Sacred Writing Space<\/h3>\n

\"girl_writing_1\"
\nLet them be in charge of what inspires them! Create a bulletin board where they can pin pictures, words, and other clippings that jump out at them as inspiration. Think a Pinterest board for kids! Let your kids choose where their writing space will be. Let it be a place they really love.<\/p>\n

Plain white paper doesn\u2019t excite anyone. Take your child to a bookstore or office supply store and let her pick out a journal that resonates with her. Or for a different twist, purchase marble notebooks and allow your child to Mod Podge the covers. (Simply gather a few old magazines and tell him to clip out words and pictures that inspire or describe your child, then attach them, following the Mod Podge instructions.)<\/p>\n

Next your child needs some distinctive writing utensils like pencils, colored pencils, and fun erasers.<\/p>\n

Last, something you may not think about is a dictionary. In today\u2019s tech-forward world, we often rely on autocorrect and spelling checkers to think for us. It is still vital for your child to learn how to spell and to know synonyms and antonyms of words. (Think SAT and ACT tests!) It also can be fun to flip through a thesaurus and read random entries.<\/p>\n

Get Creative with Everyday Writing<\/h3>\n

\"Boy_writing_1\"Now that your kids have their writing supplies in hand, it\u2019s time to get those creative juices flowing. Here, 9 totally fun assignments to get kids thinking about writing in new ways:<\/p>\n