Write Letters

Make letter writing a habit for your child. Encourage him/her to write thank you cards, fill out invitations, send get well cards or send postcards.

Keep a Journal

Keep an ongoing journal of family activities (especially when on vacation). Take turns with your child and write about what you did together that day.

Make a Menu

Make a menu with your child. Encourage him/her to plan out in writing dinner and dessert for the week. Have them Google a recipe for their favorite take out dish.

Follow Your Child's Lead

Follow your child’s lead, if they want to discuss a topic in more depth, go with it. Go online to help your child find articles, magazines or books on topics that interest them. Order a subscription to your child’s favorite magazine.

Use Song Lyrics

Have your child copy the lyrics of their favorite songs. Ask them to write their own lyrics.

Review

Conduct regular reviews. After watching a movie, playing a new game (even a video game) or trying a new recipe, ask your child to write a review. In the review they should give specific things they liked or didn’t like. This can be done verbally to promote speaking and listening skills as well.

Take Turns Writing

Write stories with your child. Take turns writing different parts or adding to each other’s stories.

Be a Role Model

Be a writing model. Leave notes for your child around the house. Encourage them to write back.

Ask to See Writing

Ask your child to see his/her writing from school. Ask them to read it to you. Ask them what they are most proud of and where they think they could do better. Give them areas where you were especially proud or impressed by what they wrote.

Focus on Content

Focus on the content (story or main point) instead of the mechanics (grammar, spelling, etc.).