“I hate writing.”

It’s upsetting but true that parents and teachers hear this phrase all too regularly from children the world over.

I’m passionate about finding ways to make writing joyful for children. In past posts I’ve shared ideas for setting up an inviting writing space for kids, celebrating children’s writing with a book launch and overcoming children’s physical aversions to pen and paper with 365+ alternatives.

But, what about the kids who don’t know what to write, or the kids with too many ideas, or the kids who simply  won’t write because they’re too scared their writing won’t be good enough?

Below, I’ve shared 10 prompts to help children generate ideas for writing. The idea is to initially encourage kids to just write without actually giving their writing too much thought. Encourage them to feel safe to let their ideas flow without worrying about grammar, spelling, punctuation or neat handwriting.

While proficient writers will be able to record their own ideas, pre and beginning writers might need some help. Try:

• Recording their oral storytelling with video or phone devices.
• Asking your child to use pictures to tell their story.
• Act as a scribe for your child.

10 Writing Prompts for Kids

1. Write about the EVERYDAY!

Arm your child with a journal or a camera and encourage them to record anything that captures their interest (e.g. a billboard, a man asking for directions, a piece of artwork, a duck crossing the road or a leaf floating down a creek etc.). Help them to take notes about what they see or observe (or take a photo to capture the moment or inspiration) while simply exploring your neighbourhood, walking to school or undertaking a special adventure. These tidbits of information become wonderful stimuli for writing.

2. Lost and Found Stories

Invite your child to choose an item from a ‘lost and found’ box or from an Op shop and build a story using imaginary responses to questions such as:

• Who does the item belong to?
• When did they get it?
• What did they use it for?
• Where were they when they lost it?
• How did they lose it?

3. Tap into books, themes and topics of interest

Build a child’s confidence in writing by asking them to write about what they know and love.

When you feel they are ready to be challenged beyond a topic area they feel comfortable, encourage them to experiment with a different writing style- try inviting them to employ or replicate the language or text structure of their favourite book in a story of their own.

4. Fill a Story Box (or Story Basket/ Story Bag)

Fill a bag with a range of items and invite your child to use the items as props in a story. Children can use all or just a selection of items from the box, depending on how many you placed there.

Items might include toys, pieces of nature, household items, souvenirs, school supplies, clothing, food packaging, and photos (the sky is the limit really).

5. Create Story Stones

Much like a story box, story stones provide tactile and visual stimuli for storytelling.  See this post on Little Golden Book Story Stones for more ideas.

6. Sentence Starters

Get your child started by providing them with a starting sentence; ask them to continue the story.

7. Prompt Cards

A prompt card gives a child a starting point for writing. It could be as simple as a word like the ones in this Storytelling Jar from Honey Bee Books, or they could be more specific by providing children with a setting, a character, a problem, a scenario or a question to answer.

We love our Writer’s Block set which includes over 150 visual and written prompts. It encourages children to write in a range of text types and Cammy just loves the lucky-dip feature. Some of our favourite prompts from the set include:

• If numbers could talk, what would they say?
• What would living in a triangle house be like?
• What would you do if you were locked in a toy store all night?
• Where would you go on a magic carpet ride?
• What steps would you take to plan a birthday party?
• What is the best toy to play with?
• What if you had a pet monkey?
• Describe the funniest looking animal?
• What would you bring with you on a trip to space?
• Describe life for a penguin from Antarctica.
• What would you do without TV?

8. Recipe Creation

If your child likes to create concoctions (either in the kitchen or the garden), you can harness this interest; Ask your child to record the ingredients and method (and their imagination) by writing a recipe of their own.  Download our Mud Kitchen Recipe Book template or get more ideas on creating a recipe journal.

9. Letter Writing

Writing cards and letters to family, friends, and even imaginary or magical characters such as fairies or rag dolls is a great way to get kids writing. Children take a keen interest in others and become eager to hear back from their pen pals.

10. Puppet Theatres and Felt Boards

Setting up a simple puppet theatre, or a felt or sticky board provides an invitation for children to create a story, as it is an easy way to develop characters and dialogue. This might be a good one to record or scribe for your child.

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Now that I’m a school mum, school holidays mean so much more than ever!

I’ve missed Cammy and I want to make up for things we no longer have time for during the school term. But, I also want to take inspiration from the much-loved book, Today We Have No Plans, spending slow days at home to give Cammy the opportunities again to play freely and without structure or time limitations.

I’m just a little worried that the winter weather might rain on our parade.

I’ve put together a few ideas we’ve featured at My Little Bookcase over the years for those of you like me, who are looking for inspiration to keep the kids happy, entertained and engaged on cold and rainy days.

EASY-TO-SET-UP INDOOR PLAY

10 Ideas for Playing with Books

Using Books to Create Small World Play Scenes

Archaeological Choc-Chip Dig

Office Play

Indoor Discovery Trail

Set up a Pretend Bookshop

Aussie Animal Fine and Gross Motor Games

Story Skittles

WRITING AND STORIES

365+ Fun Ways to Write

Write to Fairies

Story Stones

Sticky Storyboard Telling

Shadow Puppet Show

DIY Puppet Theatre

FUN WITH PLAYDOUGH

Number Cookbook Play

Playdough Pavlova Mat

Sugar Plum Fairy Lolly Shop

CRAFT

Make your own Snuggle Pot and Cuddlepie

DIY Washi Tape

Make and care for your own Pretend Pets

BAKING

Lamington Wombats

ANZAC Biscuits

An Invitiation to Cook

OUTDOOR WINTER FUN

Bear Hunt Picnic

Mud Kitchen Recipe Book

Painting with Mud

Become Environmental Print Explorers

Kite Making and Flying

BIG PROJECTS

Hungry Caterpillar Necklace

Publish and Launch a Book

Dine with a Book Character

Magic Faraway Tree Afternoon Tea

Make a Recipe Journal

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Starting school is a BIG deal, and not just for school starters. If I am to be truly honest, I have to admit that I am finding this new transition far more difficult than Cammy. It’s not being right by her side that has me feeling anxious and a little sad.

I guess I am a bit of a helicopter parent. I have never been far away from Cammy. Always watching, guiding, helping, playing and, I’ll admit, often interfering. Now I can only hope that I have prepared her well as she spends a significant amount of her day without me. I hope that she treats people with acceptance and kindness. I hope that she participates with enthusiasm in all areas of school, eager to try and learn new things.  I hope she shows confidence and common sense in new situations. I hope she handles conflict with respect. I hope that she lets her true colours be seen by those around her. Mostly, I hope she enjoys her time at school.

I really wanted to mark this new transition with a gift- a meaningful gift for Cammy and a gift of reassurance for me.

My children usually receive books for birthdays, milestones and special occasions, but giving a book to Cammy to mark her first day of school didn’t feel right this time. We’ve been reading lots of books about preparing for school. We’ve read about Mothball’s funny school adventures (Wombat Goes to School) and Sunita’s first day (Starting School). We’ve read how Jessica made a new friend (Jessica’s Box) and about the girl who had to help her mother through their First Day. We’ve also read about the girl with The Terrible Suitcase. Cammy didn’t need a story about another child’s experience of school. What she  needs is a story about her own experiences.

Starting School Gift: A School Adventures Kit

I chose to create a School Adventures Kit for Cammy. My hope is that this gift will not only mark her first day of school but also capture her school journey. In the kit are:

• A suitcase
• A rag doll
• A journal (Titled My School Adventures)
• Two pens (One for Cammy and one for her rag doll)

About the School Adventures Kit

The School Adventures Kit really has a number of purposes.

DOLL:

• I chose a doll that I thought reflected Cammy; I was drawn to the princess tiara on this dolI. I hope that the doll, which I have named Amity (meaning friendship), will be a confidante for Cammy. Someone she can talk to at night about school once the lights go out; Someone who can give her the chance to formulate her thoughts and ideas before she is ready to talk about them with me.

• I often find that because school days are so busy children don’t even know what to begin telling their parents when they get home from school. Amity will act as a great catalyst for conversation between Cammy and myself because, until  Cammy can write independently, I will help her record her school adventures.  This helps me to stay in touch with Cammy. (I might even add some emotion stones or cards to the kit at some point to prompt thoughts for Cammy to share with Amity).

JOURNAL:

• The journal itself has a number of purposes. Its first purpose is simply as a diary to record significant school experiences and events. I’d love Cammy to keep this journal forever and read it as an adult, reflecting fondly on her school journey. (Once we have a Polaroid photo of Cammy in her school uniform, we will add it to the front page.)

• The second aim of the journal is to allow correspondence between Cammy and Amity. Cammy loves fairies and magical beings and I hope to keep that magic alive for as long as possible. I envisage Amity leaving words of encouragement and praise for Cammy on the eve of important school events.The first entry in the journal is a letter from Amity to Cammy.

• Finally, the journal provides Cammy with another avenue to write meaningfully.

Did you give a gift to your child on their first day of school?

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I recently received a voucher to purchase labels through Skool Labels, and I began thinking…

Cammy can spell her name. She can read her name too. But, can she read it when I am not there to prompt or help her? When searching the lost property box, will she be able to recognise her name amongst dozens of others?

Constructive Ways to Practise Reading, Writing and Recognising Your Name

Like many pre-schoolers,  Cammy has been able to read and write her name for quite some time now, but I’m keen to give her many meaningful opportunities to practise reading, writing and recognising her name independently.

This is a short list of opportunities I’ll be setting up for Cammy as part of our preparations for starting school.

1. Help Mum and Dad label school items (See below for more info).
2. Check our letter box daily, sorting through our family’s mail and sifting out anything addressed to her.
3. Write Christmas cards to friends,  and read aloud any Christmas cards she receives from friends and family.
4. Write postcards to her new classmates and teacher, signing off each time with her full name.
5. Stamp her name into clay to create personalised Christmas decorations.
6. Create her own Christmas placemat or place card.
7. Use alphabet beads to thread her name onto a bracelet or necklace.
8. Make her name from alphabet-shaped cookies, decorated in Christmas colours.
9. Leave her mark (i.e. write your name) on Dad’s dirty car.
10. Look for her name in books (In Cammy’s case, I’ll be asking her to search for her surname).

Skool Labels

The idea to create these opportunities came about when I logged onto Skool Labels to place an order, and I realised how simple the site was to navigate and use.   I decided to ask Cammy to help me design and order the labels, using it as an opportunity to help her develop confidence in writing and reading her name independently.

On one simple web page she was able to independently type her name and select colours, fonts and symbols for her labels.

By helping you create and order labels, kids will:

● Practise and develop confidence in reading and writing one’s name

● Recognise and identify letters

● Practise using a keyboard

● Develop mouse control

● Use design skills

Key features of Skool Labels:

● Because Skool Labels solely focuses on labels, the site is clean, clutter-free and easy to use.

● The order form page is simple to use. Kids can type in their name and see a preview on the screen.

● Kids have the freedom to choose from a range of fonts, background colours and symbols.

I love the use of symbols on a label. I think it helps kids identify their name label but it is also a good chance to pick a symbol that begins with the first sound in your child’s name (e.g. Cammy chose a cupcake as the symbol for her labels).

● The labels are affordable and have many uses (e.g. stationery, lunch box items, clothing, books etc.)

● FREE delivery on all orders Australia wide with no minimum order value

We received a voucher to purchase labels through Skool Labels. However, ideas and opinions expressed here are our own.

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Celebrating and showcasing the wonderful talents and achievements of children is a strong passion of mine. I also stand by my word that kids will develop a positive attitude to writing if they are given meaningful opportunities to write. That is,  writing that has a real purpose.

Publishing a child’s work can be incredibly empowering. It shows them that people are interested in their writing and care about what they have to say; Team that with an official book launch and a child’s confidence in themselves and their work can soar.

Pulling this off is much easier than you might think.  Cammy started writing her story in April and it was just sitting on my computer. Just a few days before The Reading Hour, we decided that it would be an opportune time to share her story with family. In just a few days we printed the book and prepared for the book launch. The key is to keep the event simple but fulfilling.

Here’s a run-down of our event for you:

1. WRITING THE STORY

Proficient writers will be able to write on their own. Although a stimulus or prompt might help your child to develop a story line.

Pre and beginning writers, although not able to write legible words, are still capable of composing stories. They may just need a scribe to help them convey their thoughts. This is what I did for Cammy.

Parents can use a mentor text with pre and early writers, where children use the structure of the book as a guide for their own story. In our case, we used I’ve an Uncle Ivan. Cam wrote her story in April 2013. At the time,  I’ve an Uncle Ivan was a favourite story for Cammy, especially after attending the book launch. But Cammy thought writing a story about family would be perfect for her baby brother to introduce him to his family members. I’ve an Uncle Ivan consists of a fairly simple format; each page introduces a family member in the form of a rhyming sentence.

Cam brainstormed rhyming words for each of her family members and used those to construct sentences. At the beginning, she needed help with the number of syllables in her sentences, but quickly picked up the pattern.

2. PUBLISHING THE STORY

There is nothing wrong with using a child’s own handwriting in a published piece of work, but as Cammy is a pre-writer I acted as her scribe and chose to type her story. I used Microsoft Publisher- as it allows you to easily create a booklet using a predesigned template.

3. ILLUSTRATING THE STORY

Each page featured a rhyming sentence about a family member. I included a photo of the family member and Cammy illustrated the page, giving more meaning to her text.

4. PRINTING THE STORY

We kept the book simple and had the books photocopied at Officeworks. We bound the book (covered the staples) with washi tape. For a more professional finish, you could have your books printed by Blurb.

5. INVITING GUESTS TO THE BOOK LAUNCH

We invited Cammy’s family by sending a simple multimedia text message. Although we didn’t give much notice to family members, they were keen to come along to support Cammy.

6. PREPARING AND PLANNING A BOOK LAUNCH

We kept the party planning very simple:

• We chose to serve food that can be easily prepared with the help of children (fairy bread, cupcakes, popcorn, sausage rolls and party pies).

• We set up a book signing table at Cammy’s writing station.

• We provided and wrapped book thank you gifts for each of the children at the launch party (it was The Reading Hour after all).

• Face-painting was on the top of Cammy’s book launch list. It was something she’d seen at other book launches. Tattoo pens seemed like a simple compromise.

• We also used the event to showcase Cammy’s abundant art work. For a bit of fun, we added price tags to each piece of art.

7. BOOK LAUNCH READING AND SIGNING

Cammy practised her speaking skills by reading her book aloud to her audience. Her family was completely enthralled and blown away by her confidence. Her humorous punch lines were well-received too.

Cammy thoroughly enjoyed her night. We were both on Cloud Nine as she discussed her art and signed books.

THE FUTURE

Our most talented authors and writers surely had humble beginnings. I get quite excited about the effect this book launch may have on Cammy- on her love for writing, her desire to write, and on her confidence as a writer. A little bit of effort for a rewarding future certainly seems worth it.

I was quite moved to receive a copy of Hatched from Fremantle Press last year.  Writing competitions and awards are another way for children to showcase their love and talent for writing and the Tim Winton Award for Young Writers encourages creativity and imagination, and provides young writers with an opportunity to develop their writing skills. Hatched is a collection of the winning stories from 1993 to 2012, all written by children aged 10-16. Reading the short stories made me miss the classroom more than ever before. The stories were brilliant, but I was excited for the children that their stories had been published in this way.

So I encourage you to celebrate your child’s writing.

FURTHER IDEAS FOR ENCOURAGING WRITING:

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I often write about or share photos on Instagram that show this love for her writing. But, after I publish these posts or photos I often get emails or messages from parents expressing concern that their child doesn’t show the same level of  interest in writing.  There can be some serious issues behind a reluctance to write so it is hard for me to provide specific suggestions for children I don’t know, but I thought I could provide parents with a starting point by sharing the writing practises that I’ve encouraged in our home.

1. Set up an inviting place for your child to write (Read our post on how to create a writing station for children).

2. Provide children with opportunities to write meaningfully and purposefully, rather than asking them to complete regimental writing tasks (e.g tracing letters over and over again), which can stifle creativity and lead to a lack of enjoyment (Find over 20 meaningful writing tasks here).

3. Relax the expectations you have of your child and focus more on the process of writing than the product.

4. Keep writing fresh and interesting by providing your child with a variety of daily, open-ended writing prompts or invitations. This can be as simple as offering different writing tools and surfaces. A list of over 365 ideas is outlined below.

365+ Fun ways to write

The writing prompts/invitations in these lists are open-ended.  Although they are not structured, the learning benefits are significant:

• Handle and control a pencil or writing tool.
• Develop fine motor skills and muscle development
• Record thoughts and ideas (even if adults can’t decipher the thoughts)
• See writing as a creative outlet
• Understand that writing has a purpose
• Practise letter formation naturally

How to use the lists:

There are two lists. Combine any writing tool from List A with any writing surface from List B and you can create over 365 different writing prompts or invitations. That’s a different writing prompt for every day of the year. Who could get bored with that? For example:

• Write with cotton buds and paint on paper
• Write with a highlighter on bubble wrap
• Write with metallic pen on a leaf
• Write with a wet tea bag on the fence

USE THESE IDEAS TO GET YOUR KIDS WRITING DAILY. WHAT WACKY COMBINATIONS CAN YOU COME UP WITH? IF YOU’RE ON INSTAGRAM, WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOUR IDEAS. TAG YOUR PHOTOS  USING #writingmadefun

LIST A: Writing Tools

Write With:

1. Fingers

2. Pencils

3. Pens

4. Metallic Pens

5. Glitter Pens

6. Calligraphy Pens and Ink

7. Textas or Sharpies (coloured permanent markers)

8. Crayons

9. Charcoal

10. Pastels

11. Window or Glass Markers

12. Paint

13. Homemade Finger Paint

14. Glow in the dark paint

15. Paint brushes (used with paint or water)

16. Shaving cream

17. Mud

18. Wax candles / crayons and watercolours

19. Whiteboard markers

20. Water

21. Water and chalk

22. Cotton buds

23. Feathers

24. Highlighters

25. Melted Chocolate

26. Spices

27. Invisible Ink (lemon juice)

28. Food safe markers

29. Lipstick

30. Wet tea-bag

LIST B: WRITING SURFACES

Write on:

1. Paper

2. Paper Bags

3. Masking Tape

4. Plaster casts and plaster

5. Under the table

6. Seed pods

7. Bodies and hands

8. Timber

9. The Footpath/Sidewalk

10. Leaves

11. Windows

12. Shower screen and bathtub

13. Mirrors

14. Whiteboard

15. Blackboard

16. Easel

17. Perspex

18. Postcards and cards (The Picklebums have a printable postcard template)

19. Fence

20. In Sand

21. In Salt

22. In Snow

23. Tracing Paper/ Overhead transparency paper

24. A long roll of paper

25. Foil

26. Stones

27. Journal/notepad

28. Mugs and crockery

29. Bark

30. Shoes

31. T-shirts (with markers or paint)

32. Pillow cases

33. Post-it notes

34. Paint in a bag

35. Laminated tracing cards

36. Bubble wrap

37. Tiles

38. Zip-lock plastic bags

39. In shaving cream

40. Paddle pop sticks

41. Terracotta pots

42. Fabric (Library Bags)

43. Wrapping Paper

44. Fruit and Vegetables

45. Cakes

46. Brick walls

47. Clay

48. Chalkboard blocks

49. Cardboard box

ADAPTING THESE IDEAS FOR CHILDREN OF VARIOUS AGES:

The ideas above can be adapted for children of all ages. Children will simply respond to the invitations/prompts differently. For example:

• Simply provide pre-writers with a variety of writing tools and surfaces and let them draw and make marks

• Leave the alphabet in view for experimental/ beginning writers to help them write recognisable letters or familiar words (E.g. Write letters or familiar words in the sand or create signs and labels ).

• Cards featuring sight or theme words can help early writers who are beginning to write strings of words (E.g. Write a card, a message, a shopping list or a lunch order).

• Proficient writers can write sentences and well-constructed thoughts so invitations and prompts can be more specific but still allow for creativity (E.g. A letter to a fairy, a secret message or instructions to find treasure).

FURTHER IDEAS FOR ENCOURAGING WRITING:

Follow the following Pinterest boards to further extend the ideas I’ve listed above, or for more structured writing ideas:

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