7 Best Tips to Grow Young Writers

Parents: Where Do You Think Your Child Is Right Now as a Writer?

Kindergarten Families Can Support Their Young Writers

1. Share kindergarten writing samples and rubrics with parents: Where do you think your child is as a writer right now? Help parents notice and appreciate how their child will grow as a writer in kindergarten. (See September 23, 2020 blog for 10-page helpful handwriting packet)

2. Ask Parents to be Partners in encouraging efficient pencil grip and providing name writing practice. Give families the handwriting supports they need. Children take pride in writing their first and last name with good handwriting by the second half of the year.

3. Teach “heart words” and the power sentence “I love you.” early in the year. Suggest engaging ways for children to continue writing this pink “heart word” sentence until it is automatic. “I love you.” is the first circle of writing mastery for young writers: some will master it in September, others may need several months of daily “heart word” sentence practice.

Our support: Optimal Learning Model with white-erase boards, “Write and Read” skinny books, and daily copying of heart word sentences until the child no longer needs a model!

4. Encourage families to set up a simple writing and drawing tote at home. Share favorite writing/drawing tools, activities and resources with parents.

Kindergarten students write, draw, and make books at home and at school.

5. Give families directions for how to make 3 kinds of blank books. Then send home drawing models. Students write, draw, and make books at home and at school.

From 30 Essential Kindergarten Handwriting Lessons

6. Provide families with writing templates and simple drawing guides for writing at home: writing messages, news stories, and science observations.

7. Support families in joyful, authentic ways to weave writing and drawing naturally into literacy play at home: Share how to talk to young writers and build a love of learning! Families love seeing their child become a writer—at home and at school.

Want to Learn More?

Peruse the Handwriting, Sight Words, and Writing tabs at NellieEdge.com

Check out A Family Guide to Growing Young Writers on TpT!

This 98-page guide is specially priced for home learning. Consider asking your local printers to bind it for ease of use and planning. Make several copies of the entire document for your preK-1 families to read. Send home parent information pages and drawing and writing guides throughout the year!

Family literacy is dear to my heart. What started out as a small set of resources for “A Family Guide to Growing Young Writers” ended up being 96 pages of some of the best TPT work we have done yet for teachers and families! Several months in the making!

Support Parents and Families in Kindergarten Writing Success All Year Long!

As teachers of the young, we have a “covenant” with parents that says “we jointly” share responsibility for teaching your child.”
– Ernest Boyer

SMILES!
Nellie Edge

Now is a good time to study K-1 Writing with Nellie Edge TPT Distance Learning: Make best foundational writing practices routine in your classroom.

Study Best Kindergarten Practices:
Earn university credit. MasterClass Intensive (456 pages)

Download our step-bystep guide to the practicum and registration process. Email info@NellieEdge.com if you have additional questions after studying these 7 pages.

Nellie Edge Kindergarten Writing Distance Learning Course

What do teachers say about TPT Writing Workshop #1?

“ What a trip down memory lane this is! I just started looking through Writing Workshop #1. Wow! So many of my very favorite teaching practices are from you!! Silent e Bear, Name Ticket, I Love You notes, Stamp Books… the list goes on and on. Wow! ”

-Katie Anholt, NBPTS (email from Nellie Edge’s former student)