Why is Writing Important for Students and Young Children

Donald Graves, an American author, and educator who specialized in the field of writing education, once stated, “Children want to write. They want to write on the first day they attend school. This is no accident. Before they went to school, they marked up walls, pavements, newspapers with crayons, chalk, pens, or pencils…anything that makes a mark.”

Children as young as two years of age demonstrate their writing abilities in various ways, such as scribbling, drawing, and making letter-like formations. This is an early foray into communicating and expressing their feelings with others. 

And the way in which parents respond to a child’s first attempts at writing can either support or hinder their natural desire to write. It is critical for parents and teachers to understand the importance of writing development and encourage positive associations.

Writing is linked to everything we do, and along with reading, it is one of the most essential skills children learn. Plus, there is a myriad of benefits of teaching children to write. This article will discuss four reasons why writing is important for all students and some activities to try with your child. 

Enhances Critical Thinking 

Well before your child puts pen to paper, research and planning are necessary in order for them to think about what they want to say in a logical and well-crafted manner. To do so requires critical thinking. 

Answering questions before they sit down to write, such as what their views are on the topic, what is the main message they want to convey, and how they can do so in the most effective and eloquent manner, requires a lot of brainstorming. The more often they practice writing, the more they will improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.  

Sharpens Memory Retention 

You can ask any teacher the best way for a student to learn their material and they will say inevitably say, “writing material down.” When your child writes, especially by hand, the sensory information increases the chances that the knowledge will be stored for later.

In other words, writing forces your child’s brain to process information in a more detailed way, which helps them successfully load that information into their memory for use later on during an assignment or test. 

Boosts Creativity and Imagination

Frequent writing offers an outlet for creativity and imagination. It allows your child to come up with one-of-a-kind concepts and broadens their horizons on a variety of subjects. 

The art of writing skills for kids goes beyond the academic world of assignments and exams. Stories, poems, journal writing, and even scrapbooking are great ways for children to explore their individuality.

Organizes Thoughts, Feelings, and Self-Expression

Just as children are taught how to communicate with others verbally, they also need to learn how to express their thoughts and feelings clearly through the written word. Especially when it comes to written reports, essays, and tests, the better your child can write, the more successful they will be able to communicate both in and out of school.

When we carve out time and space to write, we are able to sit down and organize our thoughts and feelings through our voice and self-expression. This is a skill that can be utilized throughout your child’s lifetime, at school, in their future career, and in building meaningful relationships.  

Creative Writing Activities For Kids

• Word prompts: pick up to four random words and ask your child to write a story that features all four terms.
• Script a new ending: you can take your child’s favorite story or movie and ask them to write a new conclusion and let their imagination run wild!
• Twist the tale: What if Goldilocks had walked in when the bears were still at breakfast? Or if Red Riding Hood got lost on the way to her grandmother’s cottage? This activity helps get your child’s creative juices flowing. 
• Writing summer camp: customized creative writing classes or related creative courses for kids are a great way to have them learn how to write better and do so in an interactive and fun way. 

We hope you enjoyed reading about why writing is important for students. While writing skills for kids do not develop overnight, consistent practice will boost your child’s confidence and help them focus on the craft, getting better over time.   

Plus, having supportive parents, teachers, and peers encourages their exploration and efforts and fosters a positive attitude. Because writing is baked into nearly everything we do in life, it’s important that your child has as many opportunities to practice the craft as possible. With that, your child will be well on their way to becoming a successful lifelong writer no matter what career path they choose!