Written by: Malak Tariq
It is rightly said that if humans possess the capability to read and write, then they surely have a superpower! Creative writing is one such form of writing that derives its foundations from creativity and curiosity. Children in particular are always curious. When this curiosity is rightly channelled into stories, significant developments take place. Children are able to think and articulate promptly yet deeply.
Parents can play a colossal role in inculcating the valuable habit of storytelling in children. Parents should become avid readers and writers if they are not already. This does not include being professional authors but people who take time out to read and write something.
When children see parents engrossed in reading, it might make them curious about what is being read.
Here are 11 tips for parents to make creative writing an integral part of their child’s life:
1. Fill your life with stories
Read to your child every day. Read pages from a book of their choice or one that can elevate their reading ability. When children hear stories, they learn to be storytellers as well.
2. Take your children to watch plays
Watching a play means seeing storytelling in action. It makes characters come alive and such strong visualization can create interest in your child to write their own stories.
3. Subscribe to kid’s writing magazines
When the magazine arrives in your mailbox, every month, it provides numerous stories for kids to follow; whether they read it themselves or parents read it to them.
4. Bring children to the libraries or bookstores
When children see parents browsing the bookshelves, they too gravitate towards what interests them. The libraries and bookstores might as well have a wide variety of readings for children. The more a child reads, the more they gravitate towards writing,
5. Set up a place for writing
Away from the distractions of TV, family chats and outside noise, children deserve a quiet space to dream, imagine and write what they feel. A corner in their bedroom or office space can provide them with a creative space to channel their thoughts into words.
6. Provide a variety of writing tools:
Crayons, colour pencils, sketches, chalks and markers can amplify a child’s writing activity. Using various colours to draw and write makes their creative writing more fun.
7. Have your kids start their own journal
Gift your kids a journal or better, help them make one on their own. Staple papers together, to form a booklet. Creating and colouring their own journal generates a sense of ownership and pride in children.
8. Provide Prompts
Just like writing prompts initiate creative ideas for adults, kids can equally benefit from them. When kids get to know the “who”, “what” and “why not”, they can choose to stir their imagination in many ways. Even a shoe, clock and socks act as props to prompt a child’s creativity.
9. Follow authors on social media
Parents can become a bridge between their children and authors by following the writers that their kids like or read frequently. Parents can even interact with the authors and pass on any query that their child has about the story.
10. Praise your child’s writing efforts
When parents provide genuine feedback to their children, the foundations of creative writing get stronger. Parents should give kind yet honest feedback to their children instead of passive remarks. Ask children questions about why they wrote what they did. That will help children dive deeper into the story.
The best creative habits in the lives of parents end up inspiring children to craft stories and document on paper about curiosity, conversations and creations.
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