Five Ideas For Teaching Creative Writing To Children
Teaching children creative writing can be a very enriching experience. Children become familiar with stories at a young age when parents read to them at bed time. Teachers who want to start a creative writing program in the classroom can consider these 5 suggestions to start with.
1. Start small. Think of the most basic topic which is common to most of your students. Pets, parents and toys are some examples. Require the students to write 5 fictional sentences about the specified topic. You can have them write these 5 sentences as a story.
2. Dictation. As children have heard stories and are fond of them you can help them move a step further. To do this each student can dictate a story to you. You can either use a tape recorder or write it down while they are talking. In a later class the students can read their stories a loud to the class. This helps them make a connection between hearing a story and actually making one up.
3. Word processor. As soon as children are able they should learn to type. Teaching children to type is simple as children naturally take to electronic tools. Do not worry about grammar and punctuation at first. After a while start showing them how to make capital letters, commas and periods. Typing is much easier than writing so they will enjoy it more.
4. Idea box. Bring a box into the classroom and encourage the children to write ideas for stories on a piece of paper and put them in the “idea box.” Make sure the children realize these ideas will be shared with others. If they want they can also make their own “idea box.” Coming up with original subjects for stories is something that all writers are challenged with. This will give writing a boost.
5. Character development. A big advantage that books have over movies is character development. A movie is always limited on time so character development takes place as the movie itself develops. This is not so with creative writing. Teach the students that the main character of their stories needs to be likable. If you have read any of Louis L’Amour’s books then you know what I mean. His characters are always the best cowboy in that part of the country with the best morals and values.
Children often have active imaginations which is a necessary part of creative writing. You can get a creative writing program off the ground by first helping the kids come up with ideas that they can identify with. You can use things like dictation and word processors to make the writing easier. “Idea boxes” and character development are ideas that will get the children thinking more creatively. Have fun.