When I was a kid, I used to sit at the kitchen table with a piece of paper and pencil in front of me, waiting for my mother to tell me what to write. I used to just float there, pencil in hand, waiting for her to talk to me amidst her cleaning up the dinner dishes, my dad and siblings milling about with questions for her, and her processing her own life while trying to help me finish my writing assignment.
Despite my intense desire to write my assignments independently and my willingness to use my voice on paper, I felt stumped about how to start, what to say, and how to compose a piece of written work that my teacher would validate.
I hung on her attention and wrote what she said verbatim, entirely grateful for someone’s help getting started and finishing my assignment. I felt utterly lost without her assistance.
It’s common for kids to have big, brilliant ideas swirling in their minds yet struggle to put those thoughts into words. As parents, educators, or mentors, we can support children in developing creative writing skills that make self-expression fun, easy, and exciting. Here are some helpful techniques and exercises to nurture their inner storyteller and boost their confidence.
Start with the Basics: Building a Writing Toolbox
Before diving into creative writing, giving kids a solid foundation is essential. Teach them about the critical elements of storytelling, such as:
Characters: Who is the story about?
Setting: Where does the story take place?
Plot: What happens in the story?
Conflict: What challenges do the characters face?
Explain these concepts in an age-appropriate way to keep it simple. For example, ask them, “If you were the main character in a story, what would you want to do or change in the world?”
Make Writing Fun with Creative Exercises
Engaging activities can transform writing from a daunting task into an enjoyable adventure. Try these fun exercises to get their creative juices flowing:
Story Starters: Give them a sentence to build a story around, like “One day, I opened my lunchbox and found a tiny dragon inside!”
Word Jar Challenge: Fill a jar with random words (nouns, verbs, adjectives) and have kids draw three. Challenge them to write a story or poem using those words.
Draw and Describe: Have them draw a picture and write a story or description of what’s happening. This works exceptionally well for visual learners.
What If? Game: Ask imaginative questions like, “What if animals could talk?” or “What if you found a secret door in your backyard?” and encourage them to write their answers.
Encourage Free Writing
Sometimes, the best way to unlock creativity is to let kids write whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar, spelling, or structure. Set a timer for 10 minutes and encourage them to write nonstop, even if it’s just silly words or random thoughts. Free writing helps remove the pressure and makes writing feel less like a chore.
Explore Different Styles
Kids don’t always have to write stories! Encourage them to experiment with other forms of writing to discover what excites them:
Poetry: Introduce rhyming games or fun haiku challenges.
Journaling: Let them write about their daily adventures, dreams, or feelings.
Scripts: If they love acting, encourage them to write a mini-play or dialogue between two characters.
Provide Positive Feedback
Kids thrive on encouragement. When reviewing their work, focus on what they’ve done well and gently guide them on areas for improvement. Use comments like, “I love how creative your ending is!” or “What if we added a little more detail here to make the story even more exciting?”
Read Together for Inspiration
Reading is a powerful tool to spark imagination. Share books that align with their interests and discuss the stories together. Ask questions like:
“What do you think will happen next?”
“What would you do if you were the main character?”
By reading regularly, kids can absorb storytelling techniques naturally while bonding with you over shared stories.
Celebrate Their Successes
Publishing their work, even in small ways, can be incredibly empowering. Print their stories to share with family, create a “book” at home. Knowing their words have an audience can motivate them to keep writing.
Why Writing Matters
Writing is more than just a skill—it’s a tool for self-expression and emotional growth. By helping kids find their voice and put their thoughts into words, we empower them to share their ideas with the world, build confidence, and discover the joy of storytelling.
I cannot tell you the relief I would feel upon completing the assignment with my mother’s help. As you know, I love writing and eventually became a writer. So, it is not without talent or desire that kids have trouble getting started. It can be like pushing a boulder to get it going. We can help!
Encourage your young author to get started today! Explore our Creative Writing Resources as we build this website to find worksheets, prompts, and more to help kids bring their ideas to life. Together, let’s make writing fun and accessible for every child.
Ready to begin? Contact me for Steps on How to Start.
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