Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
Jill Novak is talking with us this week about the value of family writing. Jill, you introduced the idea of journaling last time. What about children who are too young for the mechanics of writing? What do you do with them?

Jill Novak: Well, we live in an instant-this, instant-that world, and young children’s conversations get lost in the shuffle. So I recommend buying your toddler his own journal, and sitting with him at the breakfast table, or snuggling with him on the couch, ask him what he’s thinking about, and just listen. You’ll be surprised at what comes out of his mouth. Write his entry down, and then read it out loud when he’s done. He’ll be excited that you don’t want to do anything else, and that you value his word.

Think about it—how many skills do you teach a toddler by actually doing them for him? Dressing him, tying his shoes—the skill of writing shouldn’t be any different. His words will come. Sometimes in a rush, but you do the writing for a little while until your child becomes totally fluent, which may take years. In the meantime, he’ll already know he’s a writer.

Mike:
Jill, that’s really a creative way to help our children enjoy writing—thanks for that suggestion! And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.