help my child with creative writing

9 Benefits of Creative Writing to Help Your Children

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There they go again! Your children run through the house, mimicking characters right out of the latest Disney movie. You sense some special energy is attached to their activity, but you don’t know how to turn it into gold.

Lucky for you, we’ve got the answer… writing!

This article will demonstrate how the benefits of creative writing will change your children’s lives, enhance their thought processes and improve their school grades. The countless ways creative writing will help your kids are simply amazing if you just invest the time in learning how to tap into it.

Table of Contents

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is a free-form style of writing based on the author's imagination, thoughts, and feelings. The style may be prose, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, songs, essays, or several others. Creative writing is original and expressive of the author’s self.

While there are many types of creative writing options for adults, there are a few that children, especially, can excel in as they learn and grow. The depth and complexity should correlate to the child’s age, ability, and preference.

Types of Creative Writing for Children

• Picture stories

How to Develop Good Creative Writing Habits

Routine and practice.

To develop and grow any good habit , you must plan a routine, work it into a regular schedule, and practice daily. Your children also need to learn this skill. It will carry over into all aspects of their lives as they learn and grow. When they mature, routines, schedules, and practicing will structure their personal lives and professional careers, making them the envy of all.

Reading and writing go together like two peas in a pod or like Mickey and Minnie or Shakespeare and Marlowe. You get the idea. Reading books serves as an example of how stories flow and communicate, but they also help develop good creative writing skills. The more a child reads, the better their writing will become, and their reading and comprehension will improve.

You probably didn’t expect nutrition to come into play with creative writing, but alas, it has. Healthy food helps a child’s brain function at the top of its game. Without it, a child will feel sluggish and unmotivated. Make sure your child has the healthy fuel they need to perform like a rock star.

Other ideas

Additional ideas to spark your child’s creative writing engine:

• Present a picture and ask your child to create a story to go with it.
• Begin a short story and ask your child to develop the characters and finish the story.
• Read a story to your child and ask them to create alternative endings.
• Give your child a list of words and phrases and ask them to write a story using them.
• Ask your child to write words or phrases on separate index cards, shuffle them, and then ask your child to make up a story in the order the cards come up.

Every child is a creative writer. They may only know how to write in their heads, but they have the gift. This list of nine benefits of creative writing to help your children will demonstrate how the benefits develop and improve your children's lives. The objective is to help you understand how to help your children make the most of this wonderful asset and grow it into something lifelong and marvelous.

1. Language Development and Linguistic Competence

Creative writing strengthens language arts skills and improves children’s grades in all areas of coursework. It helps them understand and develop good grammar habits, sentence structure, vocabulary, and dialogue.

Linguistically, children learn to communicate and comprehend language, dialects, and idioms. They may not even realize what they are doing, but the result of learning complex communication tools will be evident in their writing, reading, speaking, and interactions. These tools will help children not only in their school performance but also in their creative development.

2. Enhancement of Imagination and Creativity

Children have excellent imaginations and creativity, but they often don’t know how to harness it and develop it to get the most from it. Creative writing provides the vehicle and the fuel to let their creativity and imagination soar. It will also help your children learn language, organization, structure, form, and voice to help them in all areas of their lives.

Our childlike addiction to imagination wanes into the past as we grow older. The harsh day-to-day realities of our lives dominate our thinking, and our vision diminishes. With creative writing, it won’t fade. In fact, it becomes honed and perfected like a skilled blacksmith shoes a horse. If your children learn early how to make creative writing part of their lives, it will never leave them, even as they gallop off into the sunset.

3. Emotional Intelligence and Empathy Development

Creative writing enhances a child’s emotional intelligence and empathy development through practice and experimentation in writing. Not only will a child channel their thoughts and emotions into their writing, but they will also connect emotionally and empathically with their characters. This skill will be an enormous help to a child throughout their school years, personal life, college, and future career challenges.

4. Self-Confidence Builder

One of the primary benefits of creative writing for children is boosting self-confidence. Every time they practice, they improve. As they improve, they develop positive self-confidence. If they continue to practice creative writing throughout their school years, their writing skills will be spectacular by the time they prepare for college.

Creative writing provides a safe, supportive environment for a child to express their thoughts and feelings. As the child experiments with writing, they will eventually discover their voice and tone. The exuberant reward for this discovery is a strong and positive self-confidence.

5. Problem-Solving and Research Skills Development

Although creative writing is the self-expression of thoughts and ideas, it requires a narrative and structure. You need to know what you are talking about, which means you will need to do some problem-solving and research to make your creative writing authoritative and meaningful.

For children, this is one of the best ways to hone these skills. These children will be incredible thought leaders. As they develop creative writing routines and habits, they will excel in all areas of their life where they need to do problem-solving and research.

When a child writes creatively, their imagination sparks neurons in their brain to figure out narratives, plots, subplots, solutions, and character backgrounds and development, identity, and motives. Tackling these problems boosts brain activity, development, and growth . Story analysis and research skills will follow as the child yearns to learn more about making their stories better.

6. Therapeutic and Healing Benefits

Creative writing serves as a therapeutic treatment for those battling diseases, difficult emotions, or mental health issues. Scientific studies show that creative writing also helps physical healing through an increased antibody response in the body.

Creative writing helps children effectively and therapeutically process difficult emotions, stress, trauma, fear, and anxiety. A survey by the National Literacy Trust in the UK found that children who engage in literacy are “three times more likely to have higher levels of mental wellbeing” than those who don’t, by a margin of 39.4% to 11.8%.

As far as physical health, creative writing is associated with an increase in CD4+ lymphocyte counts , which are vital to immune system functions. This means that creative writing aids in chronic pain management, reduction in mood swings that produce an imbalance in brain chemical release, and hormonal processes. Yes. Creative writing indeed provides healing benefits for the physical body.

7. Self-Expression Builder

Self-expression is the foundational element of creative writing and helps children funnel their feelings, emotions, thoughts, ideas, and opinions into a written form that validates their identity. Self-expression is vital for good mental health and development. It teaches children how to release their thoughts in a positive, creative way that matters.

Creative writing allows a child to express themselves without judgment. This provides for the exploration and discovery of their unique identity, which is key to self-confidence and success.

8. Communication Builder

Because creative writing teaches children how to organize thoughts and structure them for presentation in writing, it also improves their overall communication skills. While they may not be writing it down in their heads, they remember the habits they learned from creative writing. It will even help them be better persuasive communicators because of their creative writing skills.

Being adults, we all understand that communication is the foundation of any relationship, personal, social, or work-related. When communication is cloudy or confusing, our relationships suffer. When our communication is clear, we thrive. Effective communication is one of the benefits of creative writing that your children will reap from learning how to do it well.

9. Interpersonal Connection Builder

One of the least considered benefits of creative writing for children is that it enhances their peer relationships. Creative writing serves as an interpersonal connection builder because it opens endless avenues for increasing social interaction, discussion, exchange of ideas, cultural learning, empathy, and trust.

As a child advances in creative writing, language skills, vocabulary, and communication skills, their interpersonal relationships vastly improve. Everyone loves a clear communicator and one who can persuade others on various topics. It’s kind of like how kids choose the best ballplayer to be on their team. They want the best. To be the best, you need practice and resources.

Resources for Creative Writing for Children

• Creative writing workshops for children
• Home entertainment projects
• Gifting projects
• Self-publishing
• Kids’ book clubs
• Vocabulary-building games
• Kids’ writing competitions

The benefits of creative writing to help your children far outweigh any burden or investment you need to make to see it through. Children who learn to write creatively and practice often rise to the top of their class in all areas. Children who suffer from trauma, illness, or mental health complexes have not only stopped the progression of their problems but also have reversed adverse effects.

The lifelong good habits your children develop from creative writing will follow them for the remainder of their lives. Creative writing is one of the best gifts you will ever give them. You never know how far your child might rise with their creative writing skills.

Final Thoughts on Benefits of Creative Writing to Help Your Children

With words, humankind has started wars and signed peace treaties. We have issued manifestos, signed pardons, written laws, and authored works that have changed the world, for worse and for good.

Your child may just be the one who brings peace to the planet and comforts the brokenhearted. Teaching children creative writing skills is the secret to opening doors of opportunity for the entire world.

Please visit our site at Develop Good Habits . Also, check out 13 Growth Mindset Videos for Kids to Watch on YouTube . Your children hold the keys to the future for us all.

Rain Story is an author and screenwriter. She is an alumna of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Kentucky. She earned two B.A.s and four years of graduate studies in literature, languages, and creative writing before personal tragedies pulled her away from her graduate work. She is also a Donaghey Scholar and fellow of the William G. Cooper, Jr. Honors Program in English.

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Khan Academy Blog

Encouraging Your Child’s Creativity: How to Write a Short Story with Khanmigo

posted on September 20, 2023

By  Stephanie Yamkovenko , group manager of Khan Academy’s Digital Marketing Team.

Storytelling is an essential part of a child’s development. It allows them to explore their imagination, develop language skills, and improve their understanding of the world around them. However, not every parent has the confidence to write a story with their child. That’s where Khanmigo , an AI tutor from Khan Academy, comes in. In this blog post, we will look at the importance of story writing for children and how parents can use AI to write short stories with their children. We will also provide step-by-step instructions on how to use Khanmigo to piece together a short story using Khanmigo’s AI prompts as well as offer examples of stories created using Khanmigo. 

Why Story Writing is Important for Children

Storytelling is an ancient form of communication, and it has always been an essential part of human culture. It is not just a leisure activity but has a significant impact on children’s growth and development ( Bietti, 2019) . Writing stories can be an exciting and fun way for kids to explore their creativity, develop their language abilities, expand their vocabulary, practice critical thinking, and build their communication skills (National Research Council, 2015) . Not only does writing stories improve a child’s writing skills, but it can also boost their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and self-expression. Check out some of the benefits children gain from learning how to write short stories, backed by research:

• Enhanced cognitive development: According to a study from Sook-Yi Kim (2014) , storytelling can enhance children’s cognitive development, particularly in areas such as memory and sequencing events.
• Improved language skills: Reports from the National Literacy Trust suggest that storytelling helps children develop a wider vocabulary and a better understanding of language structure.
• Boosted creativity: Per research in the Journal of Creative Behavior , storytelling allows children to explore different narratives and perspectives, thereby fostering creativity.
• Developed emotional intelligence: A study published in Reading & Writing Quarterly indicates that through storytelling, children can explore diverse emotions and situations, helping them better understand and express their feelings.

Prompts to Use for a Short Story with ChatGPT

To write a story using ChatGPT, follow these prompts:

• Start with a question: Think of an intriguing question that can capture the reader’s attention and lead them to the story’s plot. For example, “What would happen if gravity suddenly stopped working?”
• (optional) Choose a setting (e.g., Mars, an elementary school, or a grocery store).  
• (optional) Choose a conflict (e.g., a misunderstanding, a lost object, or a personal fear that holds back the protagonist).
• Create your characters: Develop a protagonist, an antagonist, and secondary characters. Give the characters personalities, traits, and quirks that will make them stand out.
• Make a plot: Craft an exciting and engaging storyline that includes a beginning, a middle, and an end. Use the question and topic as a starting point. Decide how your protagonist will overcome their conflict, and develop the story from there. 
• Review and edit: After finishing the story, review and edit it to make sure it flows smoothly and makes sense.

Using Khanmigo for Story Writing

Khanmigo can do all of this for you via a question-and-answer format that will walk your child through the entire process of writing a story. Khan Academy released a new feature in 2023 called Khanmigo—an AI-powered tutor that assists children in their learning journey. Khanmigo offers a wide range of interactive student-focused activities that can encourage creativity and support writing development, such as creative writing prompts.

Khanmigo’s AI tutor can provide invaluable assistance to parents who want to encourage their child’s writing development. When children use Khanmigo for story writing, they receive personalized guidance and suggestions that help them improve their writing skills. 

Khanmigo will ask your child questions about the story they are writing together to draw out ideas for plot, characters, conflict, and more. Even if these concepts are unfamiliar to your child, Khanmigo will help explain each step along the way. For example, “Now, let’s start with the setting. Where does our mystery take place? A spooky old mansion? A bustling city? A quiet little town? Or somewhere else entirely? And what’s the weather like? Remember, the setting can add so much to the mood of our story!”

Khanmigo can serve as a writing partner, providing feedback and support throughout the writing journey. Children using Khanmigo will be able to practice their writing skills while developing their creativity, imagination, and critical thinking abilities.

Parents can use Khanmigo to monitor their children’s progress, provide feedback, and make sure that children are effectively developing their writing skills and creativity. Through Khanmigo, parents can keep track of their child’s writing progress, view their work, and set weekly writing goals.

Start writing stories with your child

We promise, you’ll have an adventure…

How to Start Creating a Story with Khanmigo

Here is an example of how you may start an interaction to create a story with Khanmigo.

Khanmigo: “Would you like to write an awesome story together? Let’s do it.

• You can choose a topic from the list, or suggest another idea.
• If I use new words like ‘theme’ or ‘plot,’ just ask me to explain.
• At any point, you can ask me to show you what we have so far.
• Once we’re done, you can chat with some of the characters and admire the world we’ve built!”

…we don’t want to ruin the end of the story, but we hope this gives you a sense of the journey your child will go on while co-creating with Khanmigo. 

Raising Confident Story Tellers 

Encouraging your child to write stories is an excellent way to foster their creativity and imagination. By providing them with engaging prompts, you can help them develop their critical thinking and language skills while also having fun. 

With Khanmigo, parents can take their child’s creativity and writing to a whole new level. By leveraging Khan Academy’s AI tutor, parents can help their children practice their writing skills, expand their vocabulary, and develop their communication skills. Give your child a tool that will help shape their writing and help them grow into confident story writers.

Bietti LM, Lucas M., Tilston O, 1 and Bangerter A, “Storytelling as Adaptive Collective Sensemaking” Top Cogn Sci. 2019 Oct; 11(4): 710–732.

National Research Council; Institute of Medicine ; Board on Children, Youth, and Families ; Committee on the Science of Children Birth to Age 8: Deepening and Broadening the Foundation for Success ; LaRue Allen and Bridget B. Kelly, Editors, “Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation”, 2015

Kim, Sook-Yi, “The effects of storytelling and pretend play on cognitive processes, short-term and longterm narrative recall.” (1996). Doctoral Dissertations 1896 – February 2014. 5243. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1/5243  

Best. E, “Playful storytelling: The role of interactive audio in building children’s literacy skills and engagement”, National Literacy Trust, June 2021

Angus Fletcher, Patricia Enciso, Mike Benveniste, Narrative creativity training: A new method for increasing resilience in elementary students, Journal of Creativity, Volume 33, Issue 3 , December 2023, 100061

Catherine Z. Wright & Sandra Dunsmuir (2019) The Effect of Storytelling at School on Children’s Oral and Written Language Abilities and Self-Perception, Reading & Writing Quarterly, 35:2, 137-153, DOI: 10.1080/10573569.2018.1521757

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9 Easy Ways to Improve Your Child’s Creative Writing Skills

Creative writing skills boost problem-solving, innovation, and resourcefulness. Helping our kids build these skills is important. Plus, it also gives them an outlet for all their creative ideas. How do you build those skills without making it seem like work?

Here are 9 ways to make creative writing skills fun:

1. Read Often

Books are the best precursor to writing. So get your kids reading! With repeated exposure to words, ideas, and styles, and in books, kids build the ability to mimic and adopt them.

Flood them with exposure to books and watch their skills rise. Yes, it will look a lot like what they’ve read at first. That’s ok! They’re just playing “dress up” with other people’s ideas. They’ll soon start writing like themselves.

Encourage your children to read more than one type of writing. If they gravitate toward non-fiction, maybe try historical fiction. If they only like superhero stories, introduce them to a story with a main character of a different gender or ethnicity.

2. Identify Ways to Practice

Just like anything, improving creative writing skills takes practice. Set your children up for success by making practice easy and fun.  This will only help them in future grades when they are required to write book reports . 

You can piggy-back creative writing off of other imaginative play and encourage your child to write down episodes of the games he plays. Allow the free flow of ideas – the more creative the better!

Focus on this type of activity can be tricky for kids. It’s important to give kids a dedicated writing space. Fill it with fun paper or a kids’ journal, great pencils, and few distractions.

3. Encourage Your Child to Write

Children are often predisposed to wanting to write. Even before they can form letters correctly, many children will say they are “writing.”

Nurture this desire!

When children feel writing is powerful, and their writing matters, they will want to keep trying. However, they want to start writing is how they should write.

If your child struggles with the physical act of writing, consider helping with that part. You can use talk-to-text features in apps or even agree to be their “scribe.” Then they worry less about the act of writing and pay more attention to the ideas they are forming.

4. Encourage Journaling

Journaling is a great way to encourage creative writing. It gives them a concrete way to see their “progress” writing.

A handful of kids’ journals often come preloaded with prompts and ideas, which helps kids get started. It also helps that journaling is usually a daily activity. By having smaller, but more frequent, writing sessions, it helps children develop a perspective on what writing can be.

Journaling also helps build emotional intelligence. By writing about their feelings, children work through their thoughts and emotions and are better able to recognize and accept them. It gives them the opportunity to talk about difficult things without embarrassment, advice, or recrimination.  

5. Use “Feeling” Words

Another benefit of building creative writing skills is children learn to use powerful words to draw in their readers.

You can encourage this development by helping them give their character’s feelings. When writers allow their characters to feel, they make them more relatable and interesting. But since the feelings of the characters don’t necessarily come to mind for kids, direct suggestion may help.  Help them get there by asking questions about the characters. Why was the hero doing that? What was she thinking? How was she feeling?

Additionally, use inclusive language to make readers feel part of the story as it evolves.  Educate children on the diversity of readers and encourage them to introduce characters that are from different cultures and backgrounds. 

6. Use Writing Prompts

Does your kid express an interest in writing only to freeze when they actually try to write? Writing prompts could help your child overcome it.

Writing prompts can be found in many places. Look for interesting signs, funny pictures in advertisements, or even just asking “what if” and “why” questions . You could even play a song to inspire ideas and writing.

The idea is not to make them write about something, but to give them enough of an idea to push past the fear of getting started. Once kids get past the first few sentences and are “in” their story, their ideas will come to the surface.

7. Practice Storytelling

The reason why many creative writers write is their love of story. To help your child build creative writing skills, foster that love.

The key is to focus on telling a great story, not the writing. Let your child’s imagination run free as he piece together details that can complete a tale.

You can build stories together, with each person telling a few lines of the story before passing it along to the next. Or you can “get stuck” telling your story and need their help figuring out what happens next.

Whatever twists and turns in the plot happen are magical because it shows your child is learning they are driving the story. They get to create.

8. Play Games

A robust vocabulary is another important creative writing skill. To help your child build their vocabulary, try playing word games.

Word games are great because they put the emphasis on the game, not the vocabulary learning. The competitive aspect increases their intrinsic motivation to learn the words. The games themselves are great family activities.

If your child isn’t competitive, there are plenty of team-oriented options. You could also try magnetic poetry, other game-like world builders, or even a cool journal for kids where they write down fun words they’ve heard.

9. Provide Inspiration

The best inspiration for kids to write comes from loving the work of other writers. When your child has a book or series they love, keep it going! Encouraging their love of reading – and their love of story – will help them internalize the way their favorite authors write.

Reading to your children helps too. Because you can read higher-level books while your child listens, it allows them to focus on the story. It also gives you a chance to have conversations about meaning, characters, and plot.

As children read, they build vocabulary and understanding of how good stories develop. They will eventually be able to incorporate these ideas into their creative writing.

Creative writing is sometimes seen as a hobby- something to enjoy, but not to be taken too seriously. But building creative writing skills positively impacts children because they learn to express themselves, they practice writing about emotions, and they practice making their writing compelling to their readers.

Whichever strategies you use to help your child improve their creative writing styles, make sure you keep it light-hearted. When it is fun, they’ll want to keep trying, and that’s where the growth happens.

About the Author:

Alexandra Eidens is the founder of Big Life Journal, an engaging resource to help kids develop a resilient growth mindset so they can face life’s challenges with confidence.

Read more about writing and why it’s important to teach your kids cursive writing .

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7 great ways to encourage kids’ writing

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team | Updated: December 7, 2023

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It’s natural for young children to bubble over with ideas, schemes, and jokes. Unfortunately, capturing those ideas on paper does not always come as easily. Here’s how you can help your child get in the flow and learn to enjoy writing.

Help your reluctant writer at home

If your child struggles with writing, practicing at home will help, but you don’t want to make it seem like another school chore. The answer is to sneak writing into play — and vice versa.

As Joseph Pearce says in The Magical Child , “The child can never learn to play without the parent playing with the child. Play … is a huge creative potential built within the child, which never develops unless it is stimulated by the adult model, the parent.”

Remember that your role as a home writing coach is to have fun and to honor your child’s imagination. You don’t have to be the drill sergeant in charge of spelling. In fact, research shows us that in the long run, it’s far more important to encourage the communication of ideas than to hamper a child’s style for the sake of correct spelling.

Here are three key lessons from research that help back up the ideas shared here. “ Three lessons from the science on how to teach writing ,” a 2014 meta-analysis in The Hechinger Report , provides suggestions based on hundreds of studies. First, they advise trying to encourage all kids to write for 15 minutes a day, with extra time beyond that being even more helpful for maximizing writing skills. Poland raised their PISA scores after they implemented a rule requiring kids to spend four hours reading and writing each week.

“Write on a computer” is the second lesson. Why? Using software with spelling and grammar correction relieves kids from these distracting and demoralizing burdens, allowing them to focus on the substance of what they are trying to communicate. The third and final tip, “Grammar instruction doesn’t work” backs up the second lesson. According to the report, six different studies showed that writing quality deteriorates when kids are taught traditional grammar rules. Their essay grades drop below those of students spared the tedium of memorizing the functions of irregular verbs, conjugations, indirect objects, future perfect tense, and the like.

The root of the word “communication” is “to commune” — in other words, to coax the ideas in your child’s brain down through the paper and up into your brain. You can help by:

• Saying, “Let’s play a game.” There’s no need to mention “writing game” if your child is a reluctant writer
• Choosing subjects your child loves, like brontosauruses or monster movies or soccer or TV shows.
• Talking through ideas, asking questions, and listening carefully to answers.
• Making drawings, notes, and story maps together, if your child can’t remember ideas.
• Taking dictation or having your child use a computer.
• Praising honestly and liberally.
• Keeping games short.
• Sharing the work! Post written work on the wall or refrigerator, or sending it to family members and friends. Writing is meant to be shared.
• Quitting if it isn’t fun for your child or for you.

Try these writing games for grades K-2

Eat your words.

The reluctant writer of any age often needs to return to the word level. Make it fun by baking dinner rolls or cookies in the shape of words that mean something to your child. For example, if your child loves comic books, bend purchased dough into “Pow!” or “Shazam!” If it’s their birthday, bake their wish, like “Gameboy II.” (And if all this is too messy, use PlayDough or craft clay for words — but don’t eat it.)

Pretend you are stranded on an island somewhere in your apartment, house, garage, or local park. You need to write “Help!” so you will be rescued by planes that are searching for you. You don’t have a pencil or paper (and if you did, the writing would be too tiny to be read from the air). Tie towels around your head and take water (it’s hot on the island). You and your child must survey your surroundings and invent non-pencil ways to write HELP! If you’re in the bathroom, you might make giant letters out of toilet paper (and hope there’s no wind). If you’re in the garage, you might find paint and brushes. If you’re in the park, you can always write with your toe in the sand box. Suggest as little as possible, unless your child needs prompting. This game allows the child who balks at writing to experience the power of a single word when it is used for a reason. And if your child’s imagination is fertile, don’t stop at the first idea. Find as many ways as possible in each room or location.

Flying messages

You’ll need a ball or Frisbee, some tape, and paper cut into six 1-1/2 – 2″- wide strips the long way. Both you and your child should write three commands, one on each strip of paper, that tell the other person to do something physical. For example, you might write, “Hop on your left foot six times” or “Squeak like a mouse.” Try not to see each other’s commands. Go outside and stand as far apart as your child can toss the ball or Frisbee. You start the game by taping your first strip to the ball or Frisbee. Toss it to your child. They read the message and follow the instructions. Then they tape their first strip to the ball or Frisbee and return a flying message. If you don’t have a place to play outside or the weather won’t cooperate, you can stuff the message in a sock, ball it up, and toss it inside. (Hint: Don’t play this game on a day when you’re pooped.) In school, a child with learning problems may not connect why ideas in their head need to land on paper and be read. But when messages fly through the air, affect the other person’s behavior (and especially make them look silly), writing makes sense to the child.

Try these writing games for grades 3-5

Fortunately/unfortunately.

The writer Remy Charlip wrote a classic children’s book called Fortunately , in which one good event happens, followed by its unfortunate opposite. The book opens with, “Fortunately one day, Ned got a letter that said, ‘Please Come to a Surprise Party.’ But unfortunately the party was in Florida and he was in New York.” You do not need the book to play this game, but it’s more fun if you first read it together. (If your local public library doesn’t have the book, they can find it for you through interlibrary loan.) Each person playing the game receives one sheet of paper. Write in large letters at the top of a sheet of paper “Fortunately.” On the reverse side, write “Unfortunately.” Talk with your child about a trip they have always wanted to take. To Disney World? Across the United States by bicycle? To the moon? Help your child think of a first sentence about the trip, starting with something like “Fortunately, we won the lottery. Our whole family decided to buy bicycles and ride across the United States. Mother quit her job.” Write the “Fortunately” sentences. Then pass each paper to the other player. Turn it over and write the “Unfortunately” part. For example, “Unfortunately, it rained every day, and our bicycles rusted.” If your child wants to play more, you can either make new Fortunately/Unfortunately sheets or you can draw a line under the first part and continue the story. Number each part on the front and back, so you can read the finished stories out loud more easily. Remember, this is not the time to fuss about spelling. If it’s easier for your child with LD, let them dictate to you. Your role is to help your reluctant writer communicate their ideas to the world.

A day in the life

Photographer Rick Smolan has published a series of books called A Day in the Life… showing 24 hours in the life of an astronaut, a country, a state. Now it’s your child’s turn to create a similar book. Buy your child a disposable camera or let your child use your phone. Page through one of the Smolan books and explain the concept. Then talk about documenting one day in your child’s life (or the pet’s or sister’s or friend’s or whomever your child wants). Start the day by photographing your child asleep just before you wake them. Then let your child take a photo every hour of the entire day. (A timer set to an hour will help you remember.) Finish by taking a last shot of your child, asleep. Print the photos and paste each one on a piece of construction paper. Help your child write the details that explain each picture — why your child picked the subject, why it is important to their day, and who was nearby but not shown. Make a title page by writing “A Day in the Life of [your child],” with the date of the photographs. Punch three holes in the left margin and tie the pages together with yarn or dental floss. Keep the book forever, and show it to everyone. Talking about your child’s ideas is a crucial part of writing. It helps your reluctant writer capture those elusive details that sometimes scramble in their brain.

Family time capsule

Start by gathering a shoebox, paper and writing tools, and an envelope for each person in the family. Tell the family that you will be making a Family Time Capsule, to be opened in one or five or 10 years (or for whatever length of time you and the family vote for). It is to be a record of who you were, who you are today, and who you want to be. Have each member of the family write a private letter, telling the world about their life. Where were you born? How old are you today? What do you look like? What are your favorite activities? Foods? Books? Movies? Colors? Vacations? What’s going on in the world today? Where do you want to be in one or five or 10 years? If you have pets in the family, have the children write letters for the pets and take pawprints. When each person is finished, seal the letter in the envelope and write the person’s name and date on it. Then add more items to the Family Time Capsule, like baby and current photos, tapes of children singing and talking, postcards from vacations, and drawings. Also include the front page of today’s newspaper. Have everyone help seal the box with tape. Then write on the outside “Do NOT open until [date]!” Stash the box somewhere and forget it until Opening Day.

If I ruled the world

Your child has been elected to rule the world. They will need to give an acceptance speech on TV to their adoring subjects, but must supply the text of this speech to the person (you) who types it for the TelePrompTer. Other members of the campaign (i.e., the family) can also help with all steps leading to the final speech — proper costumes for Sibling Subjects, setting up the TV studio, and typing the speech. First, choose the props. What hat or crown should the Ruler of the World wear? What outfit? Does your child have a personal symbol of greatness, such as a favorite stuffed toy, blanket, item of clothing, or sports equipment? Set up the TV studio. You will need something to function as a camera (it can be pretend), lights turned on the Ruler, a microphone-like object, and something to serve as a podium. You can take a video on your phone. Now plan the speech. If your child has trouble with handwriting or sequencing, talk first about their ideas for ruling the world. What needs to be changed in the world? What would make it fun for their subjects to live in his world? Is there anybody your child wants to thank for helping them reach this important position? What are their plans for the future? If your child’s learning difficulties prevent them from handwriting comfortably, you can audiotape the brainstorming, jot down the key ideas, or take dictation. Then enter it into a computer or print by hand. Tape the papers together so that they form one long sheet. Have another child or friend hold up the paper next to the “camera” and let the Ruler deliver their speech. Share the video with family, especially at a gathering if you can, for the rest of your kid’s life.

Make writing a game, not a chore

Writing has many stages before it reaches paper — generating ideas, noticing likenesses, deciding on one main idea, eliminating other ideas, choosing appropriate words, and putting them in an order that readers can follow — and these stages can all be fun!

Your child may not always love to sit down and write. But if they can learn to enjoy the creative process and write for a reason and an audience, half the battle is won. Incorporate writing naturally into play and it need not be a chore for your child or for you. Let those ideas flow into print and sparkle.

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Creative writing techniques for kids: a step-by-step guide to writing a story

The way literacy is taught in primary schools has changed radically in the last couple of decades; when I was at school in the 80s we copied from blackboards, had whole hours of handwriting practice and sweated over spellings without any formal teaching of phonics whatsoever. While I think the more structured approach to literacy teaching we see in classrooms today makes learning more fun and accessible, my one worry is that there’s little time left for writing creatively.

When I was at school I adored writing stories – even stories with chapters and illustrations. I know my author brother did too – we found some of his old stories a few years back, and I felt so pleased he’d had the time to write these endless pages of action, adventure, characterisation and twisting plotlines.

As a primary teacher I ensured I would have a week each term when, during literacy sessions, we would focus solely on creating stories. I wasn’t deviating from the curriculum – far from it. During this week children would be consolidating their learning of phonics and  be ‘writing for purpose’, considering carefully the aspects of story and who their audience might be.

It may very well be that your children write stories at home regardless of whether they’re required to for school, because most children have a seemingly natural urge to want to do so from time to time. This is just a little guidance on how you can support them and encourage a more structured approach to their story writing.

Plot planning

Firstly, ask your child where the story is going to take place . It could be somewhere fictional or real, it could be a planet, a country, a town or a house – anywhere! 

Then, ask when the story is taking place – now? In the future? In the past? 

Finally ask what they think is going to happen . Remember that this doesn’t have to be accurate and they don’t have to stick to what they say; many of the best writers say that their plots develop organically as they write. If they do have a firm idea of where they want to go with the plot, though, they can create an outline by completing a story planner, which could look something like this:  

• And finally….

Download a FREE Creative Writing toolkit!

• KS1 & KS2 workbooks
• Bursting with fill-in prompt sheets and inspiring ideas
• Story structure tips, style guides and editing suggestions

Characterisation

Ask your child who is going to be in the story. How do they want their readers to feel about each character? Again, they may want to jot some ideas down. You could make a table for them to help them organise their thoughts, with these headings:  

• Name of character
• Relationship to other characters
• What he/she looks like

Story language

Ask your child to think of some fabulous words to use in their story writing . They might be long words or simple ones, or they might be great descriptive words or words that help create pace and tension. Encourage them to jot these down and refer to the list as they write their story.

Story starters

All writers know that you’ve got to capture the attention of your readers right from the start; you want to make them desperate to read on. Ask your child to think of some good story openers that’ll entice people to find out more. Here are a few examples:

First sentences that are mysterious… Molly had no sense of the day that lay ahead.

Story starters that use language tricks like alliteration… It was damp, dark and dreadfully dusty when Molly entered the house.

Story openers that create tension… Molly could hear her heart beating faster than ever before. Could this really be happening?

Stories that go straight into dialogue… “But I don’t want to go to school, Mummy,” groaned Molly.

Encourage your child to look at some of the books they like to read and see how they begin in order to offer inspiration.

Get writing!

Once they’ve got all of these ideas in place, they can start writing. They could do a draft in the first instance and then a neat, polished version later. They may wish to write in short chapters, use illustrations, or make their own book to write in – let them use their imagination and creativity when it comes to presentation, and make sure you show how much you value the end product by keeping it to read again with the other books in your house.

If your child finds writing a story a little daunting, start with something small from our list of 9 fun writing projects to do with your children .

We also recommend the free art and creative writing challenges on the Night Zookeeper website ; your child will be contributing to a co-created animated television show.

You could also try a great story-making app and get your child writing fiction on their tablet!

Plus, find out how to support storytelling skills for children in EYFS , KS1 , KS2 and KS3 to get them thinking about story elements, plot and character development.

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How to Improve Your Child's Creative Writing Skills

Last Updated: February 17, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed. . Kathy Slattengren is a Parent Educator and Coach and the Founder of Priceless Parenting. With over two decades of experience, Kathy specializes in helping parents build strong, loving relationships with their children. She has helped thousands of parents around the world through Priceless Parenting's online classes, presentations, coaching, and books. Kathy holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Psychology from The University of Minnesota and a Masters degree in Education and Instructional Design from The University of Washington. Kathy is a member of the National Parenting Education Network, the US Alliance to End the Hitting of Children, the International Society for Technology in Education, and a founding member of Parent Learning Link. Priceless Parenting has been featured on ABC News, Komo News, King 5 News, National PTA, Parent Map, and Inspire Me Today. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 255,034 times.

The ability to write well is vitally important to your child's success in life. Writing well can help your child succeed academically and professionally. Moreover, creative writing can be an important therapeutic outlet for your child to imagine new worlds and to express his or her feelings. Help your child improve their creative writing skills by supporting creativity, by playing word games, and sparking their imagination with clever writing prompts.

Encouraging Your Child to Love Writing

• In addition to reading to your child, have your child read to you if they are old enough.
• Ask your child questions about their favorite books. Why do they like some books and not others? Help them to develop their tastes as a reader and to be thoughtful about words, characters, settings, and plots. [2] X Research source
• If your child has a favorite author or book series, you might also consider taking your child to see the author speak or to a book signing in order to inspire your child to write.

• A notebook or journal
• Pens, pencils, and erasers
• A bookshelf to keep inspiration nearby
• An age-appropriate dictionary
• A thesaurus. A thesaurus isn't necessary for very young children, but it can be helpful for older children who wish to expand their vocabularies.

• You can also work with your child to make a special "book" out of their stories, including homemade illustrations and decorations. Stitch the book together with ribbon or yarn to create a special archive of their creativity. [12] X Trustworthy Source Reading Rockets Online resource supported by PBS providing research-based strategies for assisting children to become confident readers Go to source

Playing Creative Writing Games

• Encourage them to write a letter from the perspective of a character that they like to play
• Suggest that they write about "a day in the life" of their imaginary friend
• Help your child invent an imaginary country and ask them to write about what people do there
• Ask your child to create a "mashup" story that includes their favorite characters from completely different worlds [17] X Research source

• Magnetic poetry
• Catchphrase

• Write a story by switching after each sentence. First you write a sentence, then your child continues with the next sentence, then you take over again, etc. Try to add unexpected surprises and goofy twists to keep the story fun and exciting. [19] X Research source
• Draw a picture and ask your child to imagine a story behind the picture. [20] X Research source
• Make a list of words by having you and your child point to random words in a dictionary. Then brainstorm a way to use all of those words in a single story.

Helping Your Child Find Things to Write About

• Ask your child to look out a car window and think about where people on the sidewalk are headed
• Point out animals while you're walking and ask your child to think about what the lives of these animals are like
• Ask your child to come up with a new name for their favorite park
• Ask your child what their favorite building is and why they like it so much

Building Essential Writing Skills

• Recognize, however, that sometimes children will be reluctant to write. Let them take some time away from writing if they need to (unless they have to complete a school assignment). [29] X Research source

• For example, you could underline the words they have misspelled without giving them the correct spelling. Ask them to look up the correct spelling in the dictionary.
• Be sure that you provide your child with positive feedback as well as gentle suggestions for improvements.

Expert Q&A

• Be aware of your child's writing training in school. Many schools provide excellent writing coaching. You can have a better sense of your own role in your child's writing skills if you know what your child's teachers are focusing on in class. [36] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Remember that, as a parent, you are a creative writing helper: not a coach or a teacher. Do not act as though creative writing is a chore or obligation. If your child is going to be an effective creative writer, they must be passionate about it. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Stay positive. You can point out where your child has made grammatical errors, but you should keep most of your commentary positive and enthusiastic. Be honest with your compliments, but try to emphasize what your child is doing well more than where they needs to improve. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Don't force a particular form of writing on your child (short story, poetry, etc) if your child shows no interest in it. Encourage your child in the areas of writing they show an interest in. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Some children show little interest in writing because they happen to enjoy other activities more. However, some children are nervous about writing because of an underlying learning disability. If your child is consistently behind her peers on spelling, writing, and vocabulary, talk to your child's teachers and learning specialists to see if perhaps a learning disability is at the root of these problems. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.readingrockets.org/article/launching-young-writers
• ↑ http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/pages/encouraging-writing
• ↑ Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed.. Parent Educator & Coach. Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
• ↑ http://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/howtohelpenglish
• ↑ http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/seven-ways-to-encourage-kids-writing/
• ↑ http://www.education.com/reference/article/ways-encourage-child-creativity/
• ↑ http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/writing-activities/prompt-your-child-to-be-better-writer
• ↑ http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/your-teen-and-writing/

About this article

The ability to write well can help your child academically and professionally as well as offer an outlet for their feelings and imagination. To help improve your child’s creative writing skills, encourage them to love writing by reading to them every day so they can experience a variety of styles and subjects. Ask them about their favorite books to help them think about what kinds of writing they enjoy. You'll also want to give your child the tools to create their own stories, like a journal, pens, an age-appropriate dictionary, and a thesaurus. Encourage your child’s creativity by focusing on their ideas, not their spelling, grammar, or handwriting. If your child has a hard time starting a story, spark their imagination by asking them to write a letter from the point of view of a favorite character, or help them invent a new country and ask them to write about what people do there. To learn how to help your child revise their writing, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Home » Articles » Little Authors: Encouraging Creative Writing in Young Children

Little Authors: Encouraging Creative Writing in Young Children

Creative writing does wonders for kids! It’s like a playground for the mind, helping little ones grow in so many ways. When kids write stories, they stretch their imaginations and build self-esteem. It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, I can create whole worlds with my words!” This increases their confidence and shows them that their ideas are valuable. So, we’re not just talking about making up stories; we’re shaping confident, creative thinkers who believe in their own potential. 

In the academic context, the art of writing becomes even more crucial. Many students, juggling numerous assignments, often find themselves thinking, “I wish someone could do homework for me .” Writing services are ready to offer support and help students manage their workload. However, the foundation of strong writing skills begins in childhood. By encouraging creative writing early on, we lay the groundwork for students to excel in academic writing and beyond. 

Now, let’s explore how we can inspire and cultivate the next generation of little authors, fostering their development into articulate and imaginative writers.

Benefits of Creative Writing for Young Children

Creative writing is more than just an academic activity; it’s a powerful tool that nurtures young minds in numerous ways. Let’s delve into the various benefits that creative writing offers to young children.

1) Nurturing Imagination and Creativity

Creative writing serves as a canvas for young children to paint their thoughts and ideas, providing a space where imagination knows no bounds. Through storytelling, children explore different worlds, characters, and scenarios, fostering their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. This imaginative play entertains and encourages them to think outside the box and view the world from multiple perspectives.

2) Building Confidence and Self-Expression

When kids create their own stories, they feel a real sense of pride and ownership over what they’ve made, giving their self-esteem a big lift. Writing gives them a space where they can safely share their feelings, experiences, and ideas. This kind of expression is key for their emotional growth, helping them put their inner thoughts into words. It’s a great way for them to boost their communication skills and get to know themselves better.

3) Enhancing Language Skills and Vocabulary

Engaging in creative writing from a young age helps children improve their language skills. They learn new words and experiment with various styles and structures. This exposure to language in a creative context enhances their vocabulary and grammar, laying a strong foundation for literacy and effective communication.

4) Developing Emotional Intelligence

Writing stories enables children to empathize with characters, understand diverse viewpoints, and explore various emotional scenarios. This exercise in empathy contributes to their emotional intelligence, teaching them about feelings, responses, and human interactions. 

5) Promoting Cognitive Development

Creative writing challenges young minds to plan, organize, and execute their ideas, which are critical cognitive processes. This mental workout enhances children’s focus, planning, and task management, boosting their cognitive growth. Turning thoughts into words improves their memory and learning, which is key to academic achievement and daily problem-solving.

How to Encourage Creative Writing

Fostering a love for creative writing in young children can be a delightful adventure. By providing the right environment and tools, we can help them unleash their storytelling potential. Here are practical ways to encourage the little authors in your life to express themselves through writing.

Creating a Stimulating Environment

Set up a special corner in your home or classroom that’s dedicated to writing and storytelling. This space should be inviting and stocked with colorful pens, paper, and books to inspire young minds. For example, a “storytelling tent” filled with cushions, fairy lights, and a variety of picture books can create an enchanting atmosphere that stimulates creative thoughts.

Leveraging Paper Writing Aid Sites for Inspiration and Guidance

Parents and educators can guide children in writing sites as a source of inspiration. In the digital age, paper writing aid sites have become valuable resources for providing guidance to young writers. These websites offer various tools and services, from writing and editing help to style guides. By exploring these sites, children can find new ideas for stories, overcome writer’s block, and improve their writing skills. 

Providing the Right Tools and Materials

Children should have access to a variety of writing materials, like notebooks, journals, and age-appropriate writing apps or software. These tools need not be expensive or high-tech; even simple items like chalkboards or whiteboards can spark the joy of writing. Personalized stationery or character-themed notebooks can also motivate children to start their writing journey.

Introducing Writing Prompts and Story Starters

Sometimes, all a child needs is a little nudge to get started. Writing prompts or story starters can ignite their imagination. For instance, starting a sentence with “Imagine if you could fly…” or “What would happen if animals could talk?” can lead to fascinating stories. These prompts can be adjusted according to the child’s interests and age, making the writing experience more relatable and enjoyable.

Reading and Sharing Stories

A great way to inspire writing is through reading. Introduce children to a diverse array of literature, from fairy tales and poems to non-fiction works. Discussing the stories and asking questions like “What would you do differently if you were the character?” can help children think critically and creatively. 

By integrating these strategies, we can provide children with the opportunities and motivation they need to explore the world of creative writing, nurturing their development as confident and imaginative writers.

Final Thoughts 

Creative writing is like a secret garden where young minds can play and grow. It’s more than just putting words on paper; it’s about opening doors to new worlds and building confidence along the way. By guiding our little ones with the right tools, spaces, and a sprinkle of digital help from paper writing aid sites, we’re giving them a fantastic start. This journey of words isn’t just about crafting stories; it’s about setting the foundation for a lifetime of imagination, expression, and discovery. 

Author Profile

Nicole Hardy is renowned for her insightful and meticulous journalism in education and the arts, particularly noted for her coverage of performing arts education. With a career spanning over a decade, Hardy has established herself as a respected authority in the field. Her work is characterized by deep analysis and an engaging narrative style. She holds a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Arts, specializing in arts and culture reporting.

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Helping Busy Moms Balance Diapers and Deadlines

Lisa Tanner Writing

Helping Moms Balance Diapers and Deadlines

Last Modified on June 18, 2021 By Lisa Tanner

65 Simple Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can find my full disclosure page here .

Want to keep your children busy while you get some work done of your own? These creative writing prompts for kids can help! Learn how to use creative writing prompts with kids of different ability levels, and find 65 different prompts to keep them engaged !

And if you don’t think creative writing prompts will be a great fit for your kids, here are over 100 other scree-free activities your kids can try!

Finding time to grow a business as a busy mom is hard! One strategy that helps you carve out time is to have a prepopulated list of ideas to engage your kids.

If your kids are busy doing something creative or fun, they’re more likely to focus on that task. That gives you time to focus on your work.

By implementing a Family Writing Time a couple of days a week, you will gain much needed time for your business. And during that time, your kids will be practicing:

• Working quietly
• Working independently
• Using their creativity
• Storytelling
• Writing skills

Below you’ll find 65 creative writing prompts to help spark your child’s imagination.

But first, I want to share some fun ways to make writing prompts accessible for kids of different ages and abilities, explore the supplies you should have on hand, and help you make Family Writing Time a habit in your home.

Ready? Let’s go!

How to Use Creative Writing Prompts for Kids of Different Ages and Abilities

A typical list of writing prompts for kids is going to have a long list of prompts. And if your kids are at the right age and ability, they can have a lot of fun with it.

But, there are a lot of children who are not yet at that level. They don’t yet have the skills needed to sit down and respond to a prompt on their own.

If you have kids who are struggling writers, or who just aren’t developmentally ready for writing prompts, here are some ways to make this writing time more inclusive. Instead of sitting down and simply writing, you can encourage your child to:

• Draw a picture in response
• Create a skit
• Make a comic strip
• Tell their response to a stuffed animal audience
• Create homemade story cards on index cards and use those to tell the story
• Paint story rocks
• Write a poem
• Decorate a file folder with the setting and create paper characters that can get stored inside
• Use a story creation app
• Create a power point
• Cut pictures out of a magazine or newspaper and glue them down to tell the story
• Use a text-to-speech app or software

There are so many fun ways for kids to engage with creative writing prompts. They don’t just have to sit down and write a story.

Before They Begin…

It’s important to read the prompt aloud with each child and give them a couple of minutes to brainstorm. Be available during this time to help them select how they are going to respond and help them get what they need.

One fun way to keep track of the prompts is to print out the list and cut each one out. Then let your child draw three and pick one to use.

You can also just read a couple of ideas aloud and then let your child pick one.

By offering a choice, you help your child learn to evaluate options and think about what they want to create. That’s an important skill!

Help Your Children See Themselves as Writers

The more that children believe in themselves, the more likely they are to succeed. So make writing time fun, not boring. You want them to see themselves as writers, and believe in their ability.

This means you shouldn’t look at their effort and immediately point out all the flaws. Instead focus on what they did right.

Does their b go the right way? Did they leave spaces between words? Can you tell they worked hard on their coloring to make it look nice?

Find some areas of your child’s work that you can genuinely compliment. And use that as the starting point of your conversation.

If your child already struggles with writing, hearing you nitpick all their errors is sure not going to build their confidence.

Now yes, there is a time and a place for correct spelling and constructive feedback.

But, when you just want your child engaged with an activity so you can get some work done is not that time! Don’t make them feel miserable – celebrate what they did and offer encouragement!

Supplies You Need for Family Writing Time

In order for Family Writing Time to be a success, you need to have the right supplies on hand. You don’t want to ask your kids to go create story cards and then realize you ran out of index cards!

Here are some versatile supplies that my kids are always using during our Family Writing Time. We’ve used them all, and I highly recommend them!

• Reams of copy paper (we buy it by the case since we go through so much!)
• Spiral notebooks (I get one for each child to use during Family Writing Time)
• Quality pencils (out of all the brands we’ve tried, we found these pencils hold up the best)
• Colored pencils (my oldest kids use the expensive kind, I just buy Crayola for the younger ones!)
• File folders
• Index cards
• Pencil sharpener (I finally bought an electric one and I love it!)
• Old magazines/newspapers that can be cut up
• Crayons (always Crayola – they last so much longer than the cheap ones! I just stock up when they’re $0.50/box at Walmart in late summer…)
• Paint pens (for painting rocks!)
• Smooth rocks (I make my kids find their own outside and wash them. But you can also buy them…)
• Glue sticks
• Construction paper

Definitely don’t go stock up on all of these right now. You know what supplies will be a good match for your kids – but do make it a point to have the supplies they will use on hand. You want to make this easy on everyone!

How to Make Family Writing Time a Habit

If you’re looking to make Family Writing Time with creative writing prompts a new part of your routine, here are some tips for making it work.

Do It Regularly

Are you going to do Family Writing Time once a week? Or three times a week?

There is no right or wrong answer here. But, if you do want to make it a habit, it needs to be a regular part of your family’s schedule.

Use a Timer

Don’t just let everyone write until chaos erupts. Because kids who are working hard on a project will go from perfectly fine to upset in no time flat.

Instead, make it a point to stop everyone while it’s still going well. You want to end on a positive note and have them want to keep going. Then they can have something to look forward to the next time you announce it’s Family Writing Time.

To make this happen, use a timer! I started at just a few minutes with my younger kids. We’re now up to everyone working for 30 minutes.

Any more than that is too long for my littles. I do have several who could go for a full hour, but I purposefully keep it short.

Do what works for your family. But do set a timer and stop when it’s done.

Write During This Time

Kids like it when we lead by example and they can mimic us. Use this time to write and not scroll mindlessly on social media. If you have a business, you can:

• Write a post for your blog
• Research for an upcoming post
• Pitch a new freelance writing client
• Work on writing a book
• Update your resume
• Create a lesson for a course
• Write out a week’s worth of social media posts
• Creatively free write to get rid of writer’s block

Whatever you do, spend this time wisely. Your kids won’t be engaged happily forever, so make the most of it when it happens! 😀

Integrate a Sharing Time

When everyone is done, work together to clean up. Then, have a quick time to share.

Let everyone share or tell something about what they worked on. Make sure you share as well.

This is the part my kids love best. Even my toddler loves showing off his latest picture and pointing to his favorite parts. It’s so much fun for everyone to show off and tell about their work.

And during this time…listen to the kids. Don’t be on your phone!

65 Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

Now that you have a better understanding of how to use these prompts and how they can help you free up time for your business, it’s time to dive into the creative writing prompts for kids!

• You were just given a key to your dream house. What do you see when you walk through the front door?
• You’re enjoying a nice afternoon on the beach when suddenly a huge wave comes out of nowhere. When it rolls back, you are shocked to see…
• Today you are going to a cloud castle. You can’t believe your luck! You are going to…
• Your favorite television character just hopped out of the TV and announced that you get to spend the day together. What happens?
• One night you go to bed with a strange feeling. The next morning you awake to discover that you can now…
• You just got sucked into the book you are currently reading. Where are you and what do you do?
• Someone just gave you $100 and the only rule is that you can’t spend it on yourself. What do you do with it?
• You’re going to be spending 8 hours in the car with your family. What do you pack in your survival bag?
• You look out the window and discover the seasons are all mixed up! What is happening out there?
• You’ve been asked to throw a surprise party for your best friend. What does the event look like?
• You’re now the main character in a fairy tale. Which one do you choose and how do you change what happens?
• It’s your turn to cook dinner! What’s on the menu and what do you need to make it?
• Yikes! A huge snowstorm is approaching and your house will lose power for 24 hours. What do you need to do to prepare?
• You walk outside and notice a large hole in your backyard. Why is it there and where does it lead?
• For two whole days, you can only eat one single food. Whenever you’re hungry, that’s all you get. What are you going to pick and why?
• You just left the room. What are your toys going to do now?
• You wake up and realize you’ve gone back in time! When is it and what are you going to do?
• For today only, you can talk with animals. Which ones will you talk to and what will you ask or say?
• You and someone in your family have to switch places for the day. Who are you going to switch with and what will your day be like?
• If you had the power to make any toy come to life for a week, which one would you choose and what would you do?
• Where would you go if you could pick your family’s next vacation destination?
• You’re opening a new restaurant! What’s on the menu?
• What new rule would you add to your favorite board game? How would that change things?
• You get to pick one book to get turned into a movie. Which one is it going to be? Share some details about the film…
• Good news! You’ve just been asked to guest star on your favorite television show! Which one are you on and what are you going to do?
• A TV show you loved when you were little needs a rebooted theme song. How is it going to go?
• Imagine the setting changed for your favorite book. Where does it now take place and how does that change the plot?
• You just discovered a new creature in the jungle. It appears to be a combination of two common animals. What is it and what do you call it? Describe its habitat and what it does.
• Your favorite car company wants you to design their new car. What’s going to make it special? What features will it have?
• What is something that many people are scared of that you are not? Why aren’t you scared of it? Why do you think other people are scared?
• You want to try something new, so you decide to go pull out your sled in the middle of the summer. What are you going to do with it that’s fun?
• It’s time to invent a new holiday! Why should people celebrate this day with you?
• You’re visiting the farm and notice something strange. The cows are…
• You get to design a robot to do one chore for you. What do you program it to do and how does it work?
• Your friend just got an unusual new pet. What did they get? Tell all about it!
• When you found that egg underneath the tree, you had no idea this would be inside…
• You just traveled 100 years into the future. What is life like?
• Zap! You’ve just been shrunk and are now the size of a mouse. What are you going to do now?
• In the forest you discover a magical stone that will let you relive any day from your past. Which day would you want to live all over again and why?
• You’re on a walk with your family and suddenly discover a little cottage made out of candy and sweets. What happens next?
• What does your dream playground look like?
• If you got the chance to audition for a national talent show, would you? Why or why not? What act would you perform?
• You find yourself alone on an island. How do you survive while you wait for help?
• If you could lead a tour of your city for a group of new children, where would you take them?
• It started off just like any Saturday. But then…
• You have to listen to one song on repeat for an entire 24-hour period. Which one would you like the most? Which one would you like the least? Why?
• The next thing you build out of LEGOs is going to magically turn life-sized. What do you build? What happens when you’re finished?
• NASA just selected you to name a new planet discovered way out in the edge of the solar system. What do you name it and why?
• You’ve been asked to teach a child two years younger than you to do something. What are you going to teach and how will you do it?
• What’s the best part about being your age?
• You discover a secret door in a tree that can instantly transport you to any one place in the world. Where are you going?
• You’ve been given 100 plastic bags and asked to upcycle them. How are you going to use them?
• If you could change one thing about today, what would it be? Why?
• You just found some seeds and planted them. You never imagined that this would grow…
• There are 15 kids coming over to your house tomorrow. What activities are you going to do? What should you serve for a snack?
• What book should all students in your grade read? Why?
• What makes you unique?
• What is inside the picnic basket for your perfect afternoon picnic?
• An awful villain has just invaded two of your favorite television shows and now the characters must work together to save the day. Who is involved and what happens?
• If you could decorate your room anyway you wanted, what would it look like?
• What is a book or movie that really needed a sequel? What should have happened in it?
• You’ve been asked to take pictures of your favorite snack for a food blog. What are you photographing and how will you stage your shots?
• You and your friends just created a YouTube channel for kids. What are your videos going to be about?
• What is your favorite treat and how is it prepared?
• You’re supposed to be cleaning your room. But, when you open your closet door you are instantly transported to…

Enjoy These Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

What’d you think of these creative writing prompts for kids? Are there any that you know your kids will love writing about?

If you’re looking for even more ways to keep your kids engaged while you get some work done, check out these resources:

• The Ultimate Guide to a Successful Family Writing Time (my eBook that helps you create the habit and offers dozens of creative ideas)
• 9 Fall Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy While You Write a Blog Post
• 50 Fun Activities for Kids
• 25 My Little Pony Activities for Kids
• Unlocking Kids’ Brain Power: Semi-Weekly Writing Prompts to Expand Young Minds

And if you found this post useful, please Pin it for later!

Lisa Tanner

Lisa Tanner is a former teacher turned homeschooling mom with 11 kids. She's also a successful freelance writer. Lisa enjoys helping other busy moms find time to start and grow a side hustle of their own.

Reader Interactions

October 1, 2019 at 6:59 am

That’s brilliant and things in there I never expected. Love using every day items!

October 1, 2019 at 7:07 am

Thanks Katy. Using everyday objects keeps it so simple to have a creative and fun family writing time without having a huge expense!

October 1, 2019 at 10:32 am

These are great tips for getting kids writing. If you can get a kid to love reading and writing, everything else tends to fall into place academically.

October 1, 2019 at 10:45 am

That’s definitely true Charissa! Kids who are confident in their reading and writing can tackle the other subjects more easily.

October 1, 2019 at 9:40 pm

These are great writing prompts!!! It so makes me miss homeschooling my kids! But, they are all grown now. I also love that you point out that writing should be done regularly. It is such a good habit to be in, and makes it so much easier to continue on.

October 10, 2019 at 6:43 am

Writing regularly definitely helps the whole family get used to this time Jennifer. And I know I’m so going to miss homeschooling when my kids all grow up!

October 2, 2019 at 10:09 am

These are great ideas to start with. My son is just learning to write but will keep these in mind

October 10, 2019 at 6:44 am

Thanks Jalisa! As your son begins to gain confidence in his writing you can definitely use these prompts and the non-writing ideas to help him grow up seeing writing as fun and not hard.

October 2, 2019 at 10:47 am

This is great! My son loves to read so I’d like to get him to do more creative writing. These prompts are perfect!

October 10, 2019 at 6:45 am

I’m so glad these creative writing prompts will be a good fit for your son Emily! Hopefully it gives you lots of time to get work done.

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8 Types of Creative Writing Ideas To Help Your Child

Introduction: why creative writing is important to your child's development.

Writing is fundamental to a child's development. It is the first step in the process of learning how to read and write, which are key skills for success in school and life. A child's ability to write well reflects on their literacy skills and their mastery of grammar. Children who can't write well are at risk of falling behind in school, or not being able to keep up with their peers.

Creative writing specifically is an important part of the development process. It helps children to develop their creativity, and it also teaches them how to express themselves.

It's not just about having a good imagination, it's about being able to share that imagination with others. Creative writing exercises help stimulate the imagination and develop creativity. They are a great way to have fun, exercise one’s mind, and learn new words. Creative writing also helps kids learn how to express their thoughts in an interesting and fun way.

Creative writing is an important skill that schools teach children today. It teaches them how to express themselves creatively through words and helps them improve their vocabulary as well as their sentence structure skills.

The best way to improve your child’s creative writing skills is to have them practice. There are many ways parents can help their children improve the quality of their creative writing skills by providing them with ample opportunities for practice. In this article, we will share 8 types of creative writing prompts that can help build your child’s creative writing skills.

8 Types of Creative Writing Exercises for Kids

1. story starter prompts.

Story starters are a great way to help kids get creative and think of their own ideas. The prompts can be used to start their own stories or to collaborate with friends.

When children are given a story starter prompt, they can take the idea and create something entirely new. This is a great way for them to practice creativity and thinking outside the box. Creative writing is not only fun but it also helps kids grow intellectually as they learn how to use words in different ways. Try giving your kid a story starter prompt and see what they are able to come up with!

2. Character Development Prompts

Character development is a way to help kids develop their emotional intelligence, empathy skills, and decision-making abilities. It also helps them understand how to constructively interact with others.

The following are some character development prompts for kids:

-What is your favorite thing to do?

-What are you proud of?

-How would you describe yourself in one sentence?

-What would you like people to know about you?

-What do you want people to know about you?

3. Dialogue Prompts for kids

Dialogue prompts are a great way to help kids learn how to write. Dialogue prompts are a type of writing prompt that focuses on dialogue instead of description. Dialogue is an important part of storytelling and dialogue prompts provide children with the opportunity to practice their storytelling skills in a fun and engaging way!

4. Plot Twists and Turns Prompts

Plot twists and turns prompts are a great way to get kids thinking creatively. Plot twist prompts can be used in many ways. They can be used as writing prompts, discussions starters, or just for fun.

Some of the most common plot twists are when (1) the protagonist is revealed to have been killed off early on and was just imagining events from their point of view, (2) the protagonist is revealed to already be dead, and (3) someone who has been helping the protagonist gets killed by the antagonist.

5. Setting and Mood Development Prompts

Setting and mood development prompts are a great way to get kids thinking about their story. Prompts can be used to help kids brainstorm ideas for settings or elicit information about the characters. It also helps kids realize the connection between one setting and the character’s identity.

6. Voice and Tone Development Prompts

Voice and tone prompts are used in the classroom to help children develop their writing skills. They are a great way to get children thinking about how they want their story to sound and what kind of characters they want to use. The prompts can be used for any type of writing: stories, poems, or even essays. There are many different types of prompts that can be used in the classroom to help kids write more creatively. Try giving your child a tone to write in!

7. Symbolism and Imagery Development Prompts

Symbolism and Imagery Development prompts are a simple way to improve a child's writing skills. It is a tool that helps children learn how to use symbols and imagery in their writing.

A Symbolism and Imagery Development prompt is an activity that requires children to write about something they have seen or experienced in their lives and then interpret it symbolically. This prompts the child to think more deeply about what they have written, which can help them improve the quality of their work.

8. Character Motivation Development Prompts

Character Motivation Development prompts are used in a variety of ways. They can be used to help kids develop their writing skills and make them more creative. They can also be used by teachers to get their students to think about the motivation behind their characters' actions.

Here at Ivy Camps USA, we have launched our Writing Certificate Pathways program. The courses in this pathway will give your child the necessary writing skills they need to succeed in life. They will have options like fiction writing, non-fiction writing, and even comic book creation!

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Prompt Your Child to Be a Better Writer

Help her get creative with writing by giving her a place to begin..

Parents and kids don't always see eye to eye. But when it comes to creative writing, both will agree that a blank page is daunting. To help your child develop writing skills, begin with something other than a sheet of white paper.

These suggestions will help your child develop  creative writing skills  and boost confidence each time he picks up a pencil:

• Ask and tell.  Before your child decides on her story, ask a series of leading questions that get her to think about the three important aspects: beginning, conflict and action, and resolution. Try "When did this story take place?" or "What is the most important event in the story?"
• Take dictation.  Most parents read to their children at a young age, but few engage them in writing at an equally early age. If your child is too young to write down his own words, transcribe what he dictates. Prompt creativity with questions such as "What is [this character] thinking?" or "What sound does that make?" Be sure to allow ample time for your child to answer.
• Try and try again.  Good writers continually modify their stories. Have your child use sticky notes to add ideas to a written page. Encourage her to read aloud her writing and invite listeners to critique it by asking, "What did you like about the story?" or "Is there anything that you would take out of the story?"
• Step onto the stage.  Playwriting in small groups can also help kids become more confident, skilled writers. In plays, children develop their ability to recognize important details such as how their characters speak or how they exhibit their personalities, all of which is entirely up to the imagination.
• Create story prompts.  Gather magazine pictures that feature character types, locations, and key objects and actions that play a role in the story. Cut them out and glue them to index cards. Then use the cards as a basis for writing.
• Go from wordless to wordy.  Write a story based on a  wordless picture book , such as the Good Dog, Carl series by Alexandra Day. Have your child stay focused on the ideas in book. To challenge your child, ask leading questions such as "What is going on here?" or "What happens in the end?"
• Let her take the lead.  If creative writing doesn't interest your child, try authentic writing projects such as a neighborhood newspaper, a holiday newsletter, or even your evening dinner menu.
• Offer a helping hand.  It's okay to help your child with writing efforts — if he asks for it. Don't be afraid to start or add onto his sentence if he feels stuck. Eventually, his story will grow. Regardless of whether the finished manuscript is professionally printed, typed on your home computer, or handwritten on construction paper and stapled together, know that it's okay to make spelling corrections before the final draft.

Trending Post : Books Made Into Movies

Eleven Ways to Use The Creative Writing Playbook with Your Kids This Summer

This post may contain affiliate links.

With over 110 opportunities for writing , drawing, doodling, and cartooning, The Creative Writing Playbook ( it’s not a workbook, it’s a play book!) has a little something for everyone. Firm fans of creative writing will pore over the writing tips and tricks and tackle page after page. And beginners might spend more time coloring the delightful Creativity Creature and Cleo, and then picking and choosing which activities to complete.

Equally informative, interactive, engaging, and inspiring, The Creative Writing Playbook is ready and waiting to help fill those long summer days and keep boredom at bay with a big dose of creativity! Read on for eleven ways you can use The Creative Writing Playbook with your kids this summer.

1. Start off the Summer with a Present

If a little splurge is in your budget, encourage summer creativity by gifting your child a copy of The Creative Writing Playbook , along with a blank or lined notebook, some gel pens, colored pencils, or markers. Ready, set, create!

2. Participate in the BIG Reading Challenge 

Check out the genre reading challenge found on page 145…and head to the library to help your child try out new genres and return to old favorites. Better yet, pick out books that are new to you, too, and stretch yourself right along with your child. After all, the best way parents can help kids become readers is by showing that they prioritize reading for themselves, too. How many books can you both read before the end of the summer ?

3. Borrow a Baby Naming Book

While you’re at the library, pick up a baby naming book. Your child can use it to help pick out names for pages 9-11, and beyond. (Yes, baby naming websites abound. But, this way, they can research names without getting distracted by screens.)

4. Make Mini Picture Books for Younger Siblings

It’s so exciting to get paid for your work. I remember making a stand in my house and selling pictures for loose change (yes, my parents were my only customers!). If your child has a younger sibling, contribute a small amount to their piggy bank in exchange for creating personalized mini picture books (page 72-23) for bedtime reading fun.

5. Help Your Child Be a Word Collector

After they’ve completed the word collecting activity on page 121, help your child take their love of language further by making a dedicated space for their word collection . Whether it’s a poster board, a small notebook, or a jar with slips of paper, create a place for favorite words to be recorded, remembered, and treasured. (Even grown up authors have “ cinnamon words ”!)

6. Set up a Creative Space

Whether by filling a caddy or a bag, or arranging a desk or a cozy chair, gather art and writing supplies and make them easy to access. Just like displaying an instrument on a stand (versus having it tucked away in a case) makes it easier to pick it up and practice, having art and writing supplies (and The Creative Writing Playbook !) at the ready, makes it easier to draw and write.

7. Pick a Pen Pal

Ask a reliable friend or relative if they would be willing to be summer pen pals with your child. (Or maybe your kid can do the arranging on their own!) Guide your child in addressing and stamping postcards to last the whole summer, so that it’s easy to pick one up, write a message, and pop it in the. Mail. Even more fun than writing their own postcards will be getting mail addressed directly to them in return. For kids raised with texting, getting snail mail can feel truly magical.

8. Complete the Activities as a Parent/Kid Team:

If your child prefers teamwork over time alone, buy two copies of The Creative Writing Playbook (or use one book and work on your own paper) and complete two to three activities or prompts each day, together. Celebrate your achievement at the end of the summer with a trip to a local bookstore!

9. Have a Favorite Writing Feast

After your child has completed pages 112-114 (using the five senses to write about an imaginary feast), make a feast of your own. It can be as simple as chicken nuggets and carrot sticks, or as fancy as an elaborate tea party—whatever sounds fun and doable! Have index cards and pencils at the table and take notes during the feast. What does the food—and eating together—look, smell, taste, feel, and sound like? Can you write a story inspired by this feast, too?

10. Make Heart Hugs

Use pages 126 and 127, which challenge the reader to fill in hearts with kind words about themselves and a friend or family member, as a jumping-off point to draw, cut out, and fill in more heart hugs to share with loved ones.

11. Keep Calm and Don’t Critique

If your child shares their writing with you, don’t jump in with suggestions for improvement. Instead, compliment their strengths. There’s plenty of time for improving writing on a more technical level later. Right now, keep the focus on fostering a love of creativity so that your child feels empowered to continue their creative journey.

KEEP READING

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Megan Wagner Lloyd is the author of the bestselling kids' graphic novels Allergic and Squished, co-created with illustrator Michelle Mee Nutter, and the Super Pancake kids' graphic novel series, co-created with illustrator Abhi Alwar. Megan is also the author of the children's novel Haven: A Small Cat's Big Adventure, the kids' activity book The Creative Writing Playbook, illustrated by Madeline Garcia, the picture book Finding Wild, illustrated by Abigail Halpin, and several more picture books. Megan can be found online at meganwagnerlloyd.com and on IG at @meganwagnerlloyd. She lives with her family in the Washington DC area.

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5 Approaches to Encourage Creative Expression in Your Child

Fostering creativity in your child is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Encouraging creative expression helps children develop problem-solving skills, confidence, and the ability to think outside the box. Here are five effective approaches to nurturing creativity in your child.

1. Provide Open-Ended Materials

One of the simplest ways to encourage creative expression is by offering open-ended materials that allow your child to use their imagination. Instead of providing toys with a single purpose, give them art supplies, building blocks, or other items that can be used in multiple ways. For instance, a box of crayons and blank paper can turn into endless possibilities, from drawing to creating storybooks.

Open-ended materials invite children to explore their ideas without restrictions. This kind of play encourages them to experiment, take risks, and learn from their mistakes—all essential components of the creative process.

2. Encourage Storytelling and Writing

Storytelling and writing are powerful tools for fostering creativity. Encourage your child to create their own stories, whether through drawing, writing, or even acting them out. You can start by telling them stories and then asking them to come up with their own endings or plot twists.

Writing can also be a great outlet for creative expression. Provide your child with a journal or notebook where they can write down their thoughts, dreams, and stories. This practice not only enhances their creative thinking but also improves their literacy skills. You might also introduce activities like creating a family newspaper or writing letters to imaginary friends, which can make writing more fun and engaging.

3. Incorporate Music into Daily Life

Music is a wonderful way to inspire creativity in children. It can help them express emotions, improve their memory, and develop an appreciation for different cultures. Encourage your child to explore different types of music and instruments. You might even consider enrolling them in Trumpet Lessons For Beginners to introduce them to the world of music.

Playing an instrument can be a powerful creative outlet, allowing children to explore rhythms, melodies, and harmonies. It also teaches discipline and perseverance, as learning to play music requires practice and dedication. Whether through formal lessons or simply experimenting with sounds, music can open up a new avenue for creative expression.

4. Promote Outdoor Exploration

Nature is a vast playground for creativity. Encouraging outdoor exploration allows children to interact with their environment in imaginative ways. Whether it’s collecting leaves and rocks to create art, building forts, or simply playing pretend games outside, the natural world offers endless inspiration.

Take your child on nature walks, visit parks, or even explore your backyard. Encourage them to observe the world around them and ask questions about what they see. These experiences can spark curiosity and lead to creative ideas that they can explore further at home. Additionally, spending time outdoors has been shown to improve focus, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being, making it a win-win for both creativity and health.

5. Model Creativity and Be Supportive

Children learn a great deal by observing the adults in their lives. By modeling creativity in your own actions, you can inspire your child to be more creative. Engage in creative activities together, whether it’s cooking, crafting, or solving problems in innovative ways. Show them that creativity isn’t limited to art and music but can be a part of everyday life.

It’s also important to be supportive of your child’s creative efforts. Praise their ideas, encourage their experiments, and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Avoid being overly critical or imposing your ideas on their creative projects. Instead, provide guidance and support that helps them feel confident in their abilities.

Encouraging creative expression in your child is a rewarding journey that benefits them in countless ways. By providing open-ended materials, encouraging storytelling, incorporating music, promoting outdoor exploration, and modeling creativity, you can help your child develop their creative potential. These approaches not only nurture their imagination but also equip them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in all areas of life.

Related : Signs Your Child is Struggling at School

Related : Helping Your Foster Child Choose a University

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Ombir is a SEO Executive at The Next Hint Media, Inc. He is a SEO and writer has 4 years of experience in these respective fields. He loves spending his time in doing research on different topics.

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• Raising Kids

These Common Phrases Said to Kids Are Actually Problematic

When it comes to talking with our kids, it's all too easy to slip into common phrases like "practice makes perfect" or "you're okay." But it turns out that not all of those go-to sayings are the most helpful. And while it might be impossible to never say these things to your child, it can be beneficial to know why those phrases aren't the most productive thing to hear.

Read on for 10 common sayings that may do more harm than good, why you should avoid saying them to your child, and what to say instead if you want to raise a happy child .

Parents / Getty Images

"Great Job."

Research has shown that tossing out a generic compliment like "Good girl" or "Way to go" every time your child masters a skill makes them dependent on your affirmation rather than their own motivation, says Parents advisor Jenn Berman, PsyD, author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids . This is known as the self-deflation hypothesis which theorizes that excessive praise sets unrealistic standards and eventually lowers the child's self-esteem .

Instead of providing excessive and vague positive feedback whenever your child accomplishes something—save the kudos for when they're truly warranted and be as specific as you can. Being specific can help them realize For example, instead of "Super game," you can say, "That was a nice assist. I like how you looked for your teammate."

"Practice Makes Perfect."

While it's typically true that the more time your child devotes, the sharper their skills will become. The adage can also ramp up the pressure they feel to win or excel. "It sends the message that if you make mistakes, you didn't train hard enough," says Joel Fish, PhD, author of 101 Ways to Be a Terrific Sports Parent .

Instead, encourage your child to work hard because they'll improve and feel proud of their progress. They should focus on incremental milestones instead of perfection. For example, try saying " practice the piano so you can finish learning that song you love."

"You're Okay."

When your child scrapes their knee and bursts into tears, your instinct may be to reassure them that they're not badly hurt. But telling them they're fine may only make them feel worse. " Your kid is crying because they are not okay," says Dr. Berman.

In that moment you can best help your child by showing them how to understand and deal with their emotions, not discount them. Try giving them a hug and acknowledging what they're feeling by saying something like, "That was a scary fall." Then ask whether they'd like a bandage or a kiss—or both.

"Hurry Up!"

Your child dawdles over their breakfast , insists on tying their own sneakers (even though they haven't quite mastered the technique yet), and is on pace to be late for school… again. But pushing them to get a move on creates additional stress, says Linda Acredolo, PhD, coauthor of Baby Minds .

Soften your tone slightly and say, "Let's hurry," instead. This sends the message that the two of you are on the same team and both of you are trying to accomplish the same goal. You can reframe it as a task you both need to tackle, and make sure to ask if there's anything they might need help with that is preventing them from 'hurrying up.'

"I'm On a Diet."

If your child sees you stepping on the scale every day and hears you talking about food in relation to your body image, they may develop an unhealthy body image of their own, says Marc S. Jacobson, MD, professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at Nassau University Medical Center, in East Meadow, New York.

Instead, you can frame food as an essential component for energy and nutrition. Avoid using food as a reward and don't discuss food in relation to your body image. You should also stop labeling foods as "good" or "bad." This will help your child develop a healthy relationship with food and can prevent them from developing an eating disorder.

"We Can't Afford That."

It's easy to say "we can't afford that" when your child begs you for the latest toy , but doing so sends the message that you're not in control of your finances, which can be scary for kids, says Jayne Pearl, the author of Kids and Money .

Choose an alternative way to convey the same idea, such as, "We're not going to buy that because we're saving our money for more important things." If they insist on discussing it, you have a perfect window to start a conversation about how to budget and manage money. You can even help them learn budgeting by offering them money for chores and showing them how to manage their allowance.

"Don't Talk to Strangers."

This is a tough concept for a young child to grasp. Even if a person is unfamiliar, they may not think of them as a stranger if they're nice. Plus, kids may take this rule the wrong way and resist the help of emergency officials whom they don't know, says Nancy McBride, executive director for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Florida Regional Office, in Lake Park.

Instead of warning them about strangers, bring up scenarios, like "what would you do if a man you don't know offers you candy and a ride home?", and have them explain what they'd do. Once you know how they'd handle the situation, you can guide them to the proper course of action.

It's more important to teach your child about trusted adults or people they can reach out to when they are in trouble, such as a teacher, a neighbor, or a store clerk. It's more likely that a stranger will come to their aid than actually harm them—stranger abductions account for 1% of missing child cases.

"Be Careful."

Saying this while your child is balancing on the monkey bars actually makes them more likely to fall. "Your words distract them from what they're doing," says Deborah Carlisle Solomon, author of Baby Knows Best .

If you're feeling anxious, move close to spot them in case they take a tumble, being as still and quiet as you can. Let them maintain their focus and still provide support if needed.

"No Dessert Unless You Finish Dinner."

Avoid saying this at dinner as it increases a child's perceived value of the treat and diminishes their enjoyment of the meal itself, says Parents advisor David Ludwig, MD, PhD, director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children's Hospital and author of Ending the Food Fight. Foods should not be offered as a reward or withheld as punishment, imparting this mindset on your children sets them up for unhealthy eating habits.

Tweak your message along these lines: "First we eat our meal and then we have dessert." The wording change, though subtle, has a far more positive impact on your child.

"Let Me Help."

When your child is struggling to build a block tower or finish a puzzle , it's natural to want to give them a hand. Don't. "If you jump in too soon, that can undermine your child's independence," says Myrna Shure, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology at Drexel University in Philadelphia and author of Raising a Thinking Child .

Instead, ask guiding questions to help them solve the problem: "Do you think the big piece or the little one should go at the bottom? Why do you think that? Let's give it a try." This will not only help foster their independence but also build confidence .

Key Takeaway

There are 10 sayings parents typically use that do more harm than good. These sayings are: "great job," "practice makes perfect," "you're okay," "hurry up," "I'm on a diet," "we can't afford that," "don't talk to strangers," "be careful," no dessert unless you finish dinner," and "let me help." These common phrases are not productive for your child to hear and may lead to more complicated issues such as disordered eating, lack of confidence, and lowered self-esteem.

When Parents' Praise Inflates, Children's Self-Esteem Deflates . Child Dev . 2017.

The Truth About Child Abduction Statistics in 2024 . Safeatlast . 2024.

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Dyslexia In Children: Understanding The Diversity Of Dyslexia And Support Options

Learning disorders like dyslexia can significantly impact a child's ability to learn at school and at home. This condition most frequently impacts reading and writing but can also result in diverse presentations. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and counselors may wonder how they can best support children with dyslexia and what the condition can look like in different settings. Various support systems can be put in place, helping children thrive and improving their mental health and self-esteem. If you have a child with dyslexia, consider speaking with a licensed therapist to learn how to offer effective support.

What is dyslexia? 

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that may impact as much as 20% of the population and appears to make up 80% to 90% of all people with learning disabilities. Its symptoms are often noticed in elementary school, around first or second grade. Dyslexia can affect how people associate sounds with words and how those words are written or read. Reading comprehension can be difficult for those with dyslexia, and they may struggle to put words into sentences or spell them correctly based on how they sound out loud. 

Dyslexia is categorized as a “specific learning disorder (dyslexia subtype)” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Below are some of its symptoms: 

• Unexpected learning difficulties compared to normal development in other areas
• Signs of learning difficulties that can appear as early as preschool 
• Difficulty learning the correspondence between letters and sounds 
• Difficulty with reading fluency and the ability to recognize words they’ve already learned, including familiar words
• No sign of IQ challenges
• Persistence of symptoms for at least six months despite targeted instruction or support in an academic environment
• Reading aloud slowly or inaccurately
• Difficulty with spelling 
• Difficulty learning a foreign language
• Trouble learning at the same pace as typical readers

Dyslexia is considered a neurodevelopmental learning disorder alongside other neurodevelopmental conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These conditions are often ruled out when diagnosing dyslexia but can co-occur with the condition. Dyslexia is sometimes considered a form of neurodivergence rather than a learning disability, but this label is a personal choice.  

How does dyslexia impact children? 

Children may fall behind their peers in areas like reading comprehension and writing. They may also receive lower grades due to their challenges, despite being intelligent and excelling in other areas. Some kids might benefit from reading instruction programs, but others may struggle to learn and could be held back or treated differently. 

If their peers notice these difficulties, children with dyslexia might face bullying and become embarrassed. Sometimes, this leads them to lose the motivation to continue trying to read and write. As children move into middle school and high school, they may develop various strategies to manage these challenges, but they could continue to struggle in unique ways.

Can dyslexia have different presentations in different children? 

Dyslexia can look different from person to person. For example, some children might struggle more with reading out loud, whereas others may have difficulty spelling words by sounding them out in their heads. 

In addition, there are many diverse types of children who can have dyslexia. However, some groups may be underrepresented in dyslexia diagnoses. For instance, a 2023 study suggested that many African American students with dyslexia may be overlooked in schools . Children with other disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities, could also be overlooked and may not receive as much support for dyslexia as they do for other conditions. 

Dyslexia is not the only specific learning disorder in the DSM-5. Dyscalculia, a condition involving extreme difficulty with mathematics, and dysgraphia, which involves difficulty with writing, are also categorized as specific learning disorders. These conditions can also contribute to frustration and difficulty at school. However, they don’t appear to be as well-known as dyslexia and tend to be treated less frequently. 

Neurodivergence and dyslexia

Neurodiversity is a term generally referring to variation in the way people see and interact with the world around them. It proposes that specific brain differences may not be disabilities but could instead simply be differences in how people work and learn. 

Neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia are often grouped into this label and viewed as forms of neurodivergence. Some people argue that dyslexia would not be considered a disability if people were taught differently and encouraged to use their natural skills instead of being boxed into one type of learning . 

For example, children with dyslexia often excel in art and other forms of intelligence. Although reading and writing can be seen as important skills, they were not always considered necessary in society, and there may be ways to succeed and have a fulfilling career as an adult without perfect language comprehension.

How families can support their child with dyslexia

Offering support when a child struggles with dyslexia often involves advocacy, education, and love. Below are some ways to support your child. 

Advocate for them at school 

Children can face barriers when teachers and school counselors don’t understand why they’re feeling challenged  compared to other students at their grade level. Some kids might be disciplined for their difficulties or told they have low intelligence. 

However, dyslexia is not a lack of intelligence. Advocating for your child can mean getting them a 504 plan, individual education plan (IEP), or case management team. You can also speak with their teachers and counselors about their diagnosis and what helps them. Some schools might have support in place for children with learning difficulties. 

Praise their hard work

Praise your child for their success, regardless of the areas in which they excel or their grades. You can also praise them for working hard and making an effort to learn. Tell them you’re proud of them and are always there to support them. 

Emphasize their personality traits over academic success

Children are often recognized for how well they do in school. Parents might reward their children for getting straight As, for example. However, kids with dyslexia might not receive high grades and could struggle to achieve recognition at school. Parents can support their children by emphasizing other areas in which they succeed, such as art or music. They can also praise their child’s personality traits, such as empathy, kindness, or humor. 

Teach your child helpful strategies

Often, dyslexic adults can offer insight into how dyslexic children might learn and improve their learning experience. Consider joining dyslexia forums and Facebook groups to learn more about the experiences of individuals with dyslexia and what has helped them. You may discover various strategies that you can teach your child. Learning from people who live with dyslexia might be more effective than reading articles written by someone without dyslexia. 

Help them associate words and ideas with visual prompts  

Some people with dyslexia might find it helpful to associate words with visual prompts and ideas instead of sounds. For example, they might pair certain words with certain color schemes. Some might associate words with images or drawings of those words. Mind maps and anchor charts may also be useful. 

Get them professional support and tutoring geared toward dyslexia

A tutor or reading specialist with experience supporting kids with dyslexia might be helpful. Schools may offer an education plan for those with learning disabilities. This type of education plan may help them succeed and achieve high grades without necessarily adhering to the standards expected of other students. 

Accommodations can be a helpful way for children to work through school without worrying that they will fail or be held back. Professional support, like therapy, can help children cope with the emotional impacts of school life. 

How is dyslexia diagnosed, and are there treatments for the condition? 

Dyslexia is considered a lifelong condition that cannot be cured. Diagnosis often involves psychological testing to look for signs of dyslexia, an interview with a specialist, and observation from teachers and people in the child’s life. 

Although dyslexia is lifelong, various treatment methods may help dyslexic children understand their minds, improve their reading performance, and cope with challenges. Therapy can also be helpful, as dyslexic children tend to have a higher risk of experiencing the following: 

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety 
• Low self-esteem
• Sorrow and anger
• Behavioral challenges 

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

If you notice signs of distress in your child, consider connecting them with a licensed mental health professional. 

Mental health support for parents and teens

Supporting your child with a learning disability can be challenging, and you might wonder if  you’re unable to provide them with everything they need. In these cases, talking to a therapist yourself might be helpful. However, a busy life, financial struggles, and other barriers can lead some people to avoid seeking therapy. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp for adults or TeenCounseling for teens may be more accessible. 

Through an online platform, clients can access therapy at a time that works for them, including outside of standard business hours. In addition, online platforms frequently offer resources like worksheets, group sessions, goal-tracking, and journaling prompts, which might be helpful for those looking to process challenges outside of therapy sessions. 

According to a 2021 study, online platforms can be effective in supporting parents , helping them learn emotional regulation skills and reducing stress and burnout from parenting struggles. 

• Understanding Your Sensory-Seeking Child: Methods Of Support Medically reviewed by April Justice , LICSW
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• Relationships and Relations

• Supporting your child with writing their personal statement for 2026 entry

Advice for parents, guardians and carers

• How to fill in the UCAS application
• What happens once UCAS gets an application?
• Parent, Guardian and Carer Guide
• Key dates and the application journey
• Planning their future
• Researching options
• Revision tips and how to manage exam stress: a guide for parents and guardians
• Alternatives to university
• How to pay for uni
• International student finance
• Bills, budgeting and preparing for uni
• Finding university accommodation
• Making new friends and dealing with homesickness
• Parents Evening: The UCAS parent series

Understanding the new personal statement format

For 2026 entry, the personal statement focuses on three key questions to help students clearly communicate their motivations and suitability for the course. These questions ensure all students, no matter their background, can present a strong case. 

Your child should explain their passion for the subject, how their interest developed, and what they hope to achieve. 

They should link their academic achievements to the skills needed for the course. 

Here, your child can discuss any activities outside school—such as work experience, volunteering, or personal projects—and how these experiences have prepared them for university. 

How you can help your child get started

Encourage reflection:  Help your child think about why they are interested in the course and what sparked their passion. This reflection is key to answering the first question. 

Identify experiences:  Support your child in identifying both academic and personal experiences that relate to their course. Whether it’s a project, job, hobby, or a balancing of their responsibilities like caring for a family member, these experiences can demonstrate their commitment and readiness. 

Discuss future goals:  Talk about your child’s career goals and how the course can help them achieve these. This will help them focus their personal statement. 

Emphasise relevance:  Encourage your child to avoid vague statements and focus on specific experiences and achievements that support their application. 

Structuring the personal statement

• Show passion: They should explain what excites and interests them about the subject. 
• Relate to career goals: Link their interest to long-term goals. 
• Highlight achievements: Help them pick academic accomplishments relevant to the course. 
• Link skills: They should demonstrate how their studies have given them skills for success. 
• Include extra-curriculars: Volunteering, internships, or personal projects can be great examples. 
• Make it personal: Encourage your child to select experiences that show commitment. This is where your child can include any challenges they’ve overcome and how these experiences prepared them for university. 

For students without extra-curricular activities

Your child can focus on academic achievements and personal responsibilities. Encourage them to: 

• Discuss classroom experiences that helped them develop key skills. 
• Highlight part-time jobs, linking them to transferable skills like time management. 

Springpod Sreenshot

Subject tasters and virtual work experience.

These programmes, run by Springpod through the UCAS website, offer an unparalleled insight into courses, subjects and careers, and can be included in their personal statement as relevant evidence.

Subject tasters

Virtual work experience

What to avoid

Supporting your child to stand out, final checks.

Proofreading:  Encourage your child to check their statement for spelling and grammar mistakes and have someone review it for clarity. 

Seek feedback:  Suggest they share their personal statement with a trusted person for constructive feedback. 

Check relevance:  Remind them to ensure every part of their statement is relevant to the course and their goals. 

By following this guidance, you can help your child create a personal statement that reflects their strengths and ambitions. This is their chance to tell their story - ensure it truly represents who they are and what they want to achieve. 

Sponsored articles UCAS Media Service

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How to Write a Story: A Guide for Creative Writers

• by Andrea Feccomandi
• August 27, 2024

There’s nothing quite like the joy of bringing a story to life, watching your characters grow and your world take shape. Storytelling isn’t just about writing; it’s about connecting with others through your words .

But to do that, you need to know the basic elements—like characters, plot, and setting. Think of these as the building blocks of your story. Without them, your story can’t stand strong.

This guide on how to write a story will take you through each step, making the process manageable and even enjoyable, whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve.

Story Meaning in Creative Writing

Let’s start with the definition of a story in creative writing.

STORY DEFINITION IN CREATIVE WRITING What is a Story? A story is a structured narrative that goes beyond a mere sequence of events. In creative writing, a story is an intentionally crafted experience designed to guide the reader through a progression of events and situations. It involves the creation of a fictional world, the introduction of characters, and the development of scenarios that lead to meaningful change or development in those characters.

How to Write a Story: Key Components of a Story

To understand how to write a story, you first need to grasp its key components: characters, setting, plot, conflict, and theme.

Characters are the heart of your story. They are the people, creatures, or beings that the reader follows. Think of them as the players in a game. Without characters, there’s no one to move through the story, no one to experience the events you’ve created.

Each character should have a purpose , desires , and challenges . For example, in a mystery story , your main character might be a detective determined to solve a crime. Their actions and choices drive the plot forward .

The setting is the world where your story takes place. It’s the backdrop against which your characters act. This could be a bustling city, a quiet village, or even a distant planet.

The setting influences the mood of your story and can even affect the actions of your characters . For instance, a story set in a haunted house might feel eerie and suspenseful, while a story set on a sunny beach might feel light and carefree.

The plot is the sequence of events that make up your story. It’s what happens to your characters as they move through the setting. A strong plot has a clear beginning, middle, and end. It might start with a problem or goal, build up as the characters face challenges, and end with a resolution.

Imagine a plot as a roadmap. It shows the direction your story will take , guiding the characters from the start to the finish line.

Conflict is what gives your story tension and drama . It’s the struggle between opposing forces that keeps the reader engaged. Conflict can be external, like a character fighting against another character or a natural disaster, or internal, like a character struggling with their own fears or doubts.

In a romance story , the conflict might be the obstacles that keep two characters apart. In a thriller, it could be the protagonist’s battle against a dangerous enemy.

Finally, the theme is the underlying message or lesson of your story . It’s what you want the reader to take away after they’ve finished reading.

The theme is often subtle, woven into the characters’ actions and the plot. For example, in a story about friendship, the theme might be the importance of loyalty and trust.

To survive, you must tell stories. Umberto Eco , The Island of the Day Before

Types of Stories

Stories come in many shapes and sizes. Understanding the type of story you want to write can help shape your approach. Different genres and formats offer different challenges and opportunities.

Genres like romance, science fiction, fantasy , and horror each have their own conventions and expectations . For example, a romance story usually focuses on relationships and emotions, while a science fiction story might explore futuristic technology or alien worlds. Knowing your genre helps you meet readers’ expectations while allowing you to play with the boundaries of that genre.

The format of your story also matters. A short story is brief, often focusing on a single event or moment in a character’s life. It requires concise writing and a tight plot. A novel , on the other hand, gives you more space to develop characters, explore subplots, and build a complex world. A novella falls somewhere in between, offering more depth than a short story but requiring more focus than a novel.

Choosing the right genre and format is like choosing the right tool for a job. It helps you focus your ideas and guides your storytelling . Whether you’re writing a quick, impactful short story or a sprawling epic novel, understanding these basics will set you on the right path.

How to Write a Story: Developing an Idea

The first step in learning how to write a story is developing a solid idea . This process involves finding inspiration and then refining that inspiration into something you can work with.

Finding Inspiration

Inspiration for a story can come from anywhere. It might spark from a conversation you overhear, a place you visit, or even a memory.

To find inspiration, start by observing the world around you . Pay attention to the small details—the way the light hits a building, the expressions people wear on their faces, or the rhythm of a crowded street. These observations can serve as the seeds for your story.

Reading widely also fuels inspiration. Explore different genres, styles, and authors. Notice how they craft their stories, how they build characters, and how they create tension. As you read, ask yourself what you would do differently. This can help you generate new ideas and find your unique voice.

Brainstorming is another effective way to develop story ideas. Sit down with a notebook and write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how vague or disconnected. You might start with a single word, a character, or a situation. Don’t worry about making sense at this stage. The goal is to let your imagination run free and gather raw material.

Refining Your Idea

Once you have a list of potential ideas, it’s time to refine them. Broad ideas often need narrowing down to become workable. Start by asking yourself some key questions : What is the main conflict in this idea? Who are the characters involved? Where and when does the story take place? These questions help you focus your idea and give it structure.

Originality is crucial in refining your idea. While it’s fine to take inspiration from existing stories, your version should bring something new to the table. Avoid clichés and overused tropes. Instead, think about how you can twist the familiar into something fresh . For example, if your idea involves a classic hero’s journey , consider how you might change the setting or alter the character’s motivation to make the story uniquely yours.

Adding personal touches also strengthens your story idea. Draw from your experiences, emotions, and perspectives. These elements give your story authenticity and depth. For instance, if you’re writing a story about overcoming fear, reflect on a time when you faced something scary. This personal connection will resonate with readers.

For example, let’s say you start with a basic concept: a person who wants to escape their small town . To refine this into a workable story, you might decide that the protagonist is a young woman who dreams of becoming an artist. The conflict arises because her family expects her to take over the family business. The setting could be a rural town that feels isolated and stifling. This simple idea now has direction, characters, and a central conflict, making it a strong foundation for your story.

How to Write a Story: Creating Compelling Characters

In learning how to write a story, creating compelling characters is one of the most crucial steps. Characters are the driving force behind your story . Readers connect with them , root for them, and follow them on their journey. To make your characters stand out, they need to be relatable, complex, and dynamic.

Character Development

Character development begins with understanding who your character is at their core . Think of your character as a real person. They should have goals, motivations, and flaws. Goals drive your character forward , giving them something to strive for. For example, a character might want to win a race, solve a mystery, or find love. These goals give your story direction.

Motivations explain why your character wants to achieve their goals . They add depth and make your character’s actions believable. If your character wants to win a race, their motivation might be to prove their worth, escape a difficult past, or fulfill a promise. Understanding these motivations helps you write actions and decisions that feel true to the character .

Flaws make your character human . No one is perfect, and your characters shouldn’t be either. Flaws could be anything from stubbornness to insecurity to a quick temper. These flaws create tension and conflict in your story, making it more engaging. For instance, a character who is too stubborn might refuse help when they need it, leading to further challenges.

Character Arcs

A character arc describes how a character changes throughout your story . A well-written arc adds depth and makes your story more satisfying. There are different types of character arcs, and the one you choose depends on your story.

A positive arc shows a character growing or improving . They start with a flaw or a false belief, but through the events of the story, they learn, change, and become better. For example, a character who begins as selfish might learn the value of helping others.

A negative arc shows a character’s downfall . Instead of growing, the character makes poor choices or refuses to change, leading to their decline. This arc can be powerful in tragedies or dark stories.

A flat arc involves a character who doesn’t change much but influences the world around them . This type of character often has strong beliefs or principles and helps others grow. Think of a mentor figure who stays consistent while guiding the protagonist.

Dialogue and Voice

Dialogue is a key tool for revealing character . It’s not just about what your characters say, but how they say it . To write authentic dialogue , consider each character’s background, personality, and current emotional state. A well-educated character might speak formally, while a teenager might use slang or short sentences.

Differentiating your characters through their speech patterns is crucial. It helps readers instantly recognize who is speaking, even without dialogue tags. For example, one character might be sarcastic, always making jokes, while another might be straightforward and serious. These differences make your characters more distinct and memorable.

Voice is another important aspect of a character. It refers to the unique way a character views and describes the world. A character’s voice should match their personality and background. For instance, a cynical character might describe things with a negative twist, while an optimistic character sees the bright side. This consistency in voice strengthens your character and makes them feel real.

How to Write a Story: Crafting the Plot

Learning how to write a story involves mastering the art of plot crafting. The plot is the backbone of your story. It guides your characters from beginning to end and keeps your readers engaged. To create a strong plot, you need to understand plot structure, pacing, tension, and the use of subplots.

Plot Structure

Plot structure is the framework that shapes your story . It provides a roadmap for your characters’ journey. Two common plot structures are the three-act structure and the Hero’s Journey.

In the three-act structure , the story is divided into three parts: setup, conflict, and resolution. The setup introduces the characters, the world, and the main problem. The conflict is the core of the story where challenges build, leading to the climax. The climax is the peak of the story, where everything comes to a head. After the climax, the resolution ties up loose ends and concludes the story.

The Hero’s Journey is another popular structure. It follows a character (the Hero ) who starts in their ordinary world but is soon called to an adventure. Along the way, they face trials, make allies, and confront their greatest challenge. After overcoming this challenge, the hero returns home, transformed by their experiences .

Both structures provide clear steps to follow, making it easier to organize your story. Whether you use the three-act structure or the Hero’s Journey, the goal is to create a plot that feels complete and satisfying.

Pacing and Tension

Pacing is how you control the speed of your story . It’s important to maintain a balance between fast-paced action and slower, more reflective moments. If your story moves too quickly, readers might miss important details. If it moves too slowly, they might lose interest.

To maintain good pacing, vary the length of your scenes . Short, quick scenes can build excitement and move the story forward. Longer scenes can slow things down and give readers a chance to catch their breath. Also, consider where you place important events. Spacing out major plot points keeps readers engaged and eager to see what happens next.

Tension is what keeps readers on the edge of their seats . It’s the sense that something important is at stake and that the outcome is uncertain. To build tension, gradually increase the obstacles your characters face. Start with smaller challenges, then escalate to bigger, more threatening situations. For example, in a mystery story, the tension might rise as the detective uncovers clues, leading to a final confrontation with the villain.

Subplots are secondary stories that run alongside your main plot. They add depth and complexity to your narrative, making it richer and more engaging. Subplots can explore side characters, develop themes, or provide a different perspective on the main story.

When creating subplots, ensure they complement the main plot . They should not distract from the primary narrative but instead enhance it. For example, if your main plot is about a hero saving the world, a subplot might explore the hero’s relationship with a close friend, adding emotional depth.

Weaving subplots into your story requires balance . Introduce them naturally, and make sure they connect to the main plot at key points. This connection helps to maintain the story’s focus and ensures that all elements of the plot work together.

How to Write a Story: Setting the Scene

When learning how to write a story, setting plays a crucial role. A well-crafted setting does more than provide a backdrop; it immerses the reader in your world and shapes the entire narrative. Let’s explore how to build a compelling setting and use it to enhance your story.

World-Building

World-building is the process of creating a believable and immersive setting for your story. Whether your story takes place in a real location or a fictional one, the setting must feel real to the reader .

Start by developing the physical landscape . Think about the environment—are there mountains, forests, cities, or oceans? What’s the climate like? How does the weather affect the characters’ daily lives?

Next, consider the cultural landscape . What are the customs, traditions, and values of the people who live in this world? How do these influence the characters and their actions? For example, in a society where honor is highly valued, a character might go to great lengths to protect their reputation.

Finally, think about the emotional landscape . How does the setting make the characters feel? A bustling city might create a sense of excitement or stress, while a quiet village could evoke feelings of peace or isolation. These emotional cues help the reader connect with the setting on a deeper level.

Using Setting to Enhance the Story

The setting is not just a backdrop; it influences the mood, theme, and character actions . Use the setting to create a specific atmosphere. For example, a story set in a dark, rainy city might feel tense and mysterious, while a story set in a bright, sunny field might feel warm and hopeful.

Setting can also reinforce the theme of your story. In The Great Gatsby , for example, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the opulent settings of West Egg and East Egg to highlight the theme of wealth and its corrupting influence.

By carefully crafting your setting and using it to enhance the story, you can create a world that feels alive and integral to the narrative . As you continue to learn how to write a story, remember that a strong setting can be as important as the characters and plot.

How to Write a Story: Writing the First Draft

When learning how to write a story, the first draft is a crucial step. It’s where your ideas take shape on the page. This stage can feel daunting, but with the right approach, you can overcome the fear of the blank page and start writing with confidence.

Getting Started

Starting your first draft can be intimidating. The blank page often feels like a huge obstacle. To overcome this fear, remind yourself that the first draft doesn’t need to be perfect . It’s about getting your ideas down, not about crafting flawless prose. Think of it as building the foundation of a house—you’re just putting up the framework. The details can come later.

To start strong, consider beginning with a scene or moment that excites you . Don’t worry about writing in order. If there’s a particular scene that’s clear in your mind, write that first. This helps you build momentum. Once you’re in the flow, it becomes easier to tackle other parts of the story.

Writing Techniques

Several writing techniques can help you move through your first draft. Freewriting is a useful method. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write without stopping. Don’t edit or second-guess yourself; just let the words flow. This technique helps you bypass your inner critic and get your ideas on paper.

Word sprints are another effective strategy. Set a timer for a short period, like 20 minutes, and challenge yourself to write as much as possible. The pressure of the timer can push you to write faster and worry less about making it perfect.

Setting daily goals can also keep you on track. Decide on a specific word count to hit each day, whether it’s 300 words or 1,000. Consistent progress, even in small amounts, adds up over time.

Remember, the goal of the first draft is to get the story down. Don’t get caught up in editing or fixing every sentence. There will be time to refine your work later. For now, focus on moving the story forward.

Dealing with Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a common challenge during the first draft. When you feel stuck, it’s important to take a step back. Breaks are crucial . Step away from your writing, take a walk, or do something else you enjoy. This gives your mind a chance to reset.

Changing your scenery can also help. If you’ve been writing at your desk, try moving to a different room, a coffee shop, or even outside. A new environment can spark fresh ideas and break through mental barriers.

Revisiting your inspiration can reignite your creativity. Look back at what inspired you to write this story in the first place. Read a favorite book, watch a movie that relates to your theme, or browse through your notes. These activities can remind you of your passion for the story and help you push past the block.

How to Write a Story: Revising and Editing

Once you’ve completed your first draft, the real work begins. Learning how to write a story doesn’t stop at getting your ideas down; it involves shaping and refining those ideas into a polished narrative. Revising and editing are essential steps in this process.

Importance of Revisions

The first draft is just the start. Think of it as the rough clay that you’ll now mold into its final form. Revisions allow you to step back and see the bigger picture . This is your chance to rework the plot, deepen character development, and improve pacing. For example, you might find that a subplot needs more attention or that a character’s motivations aren’t clear. Revising helps you address these issues and strengthen your story.

During revision, focus on the structure of your story . Does the plot flow logically? Are the character arcs satisfying? Is the pacing consistent? These questions guide your revisions and help you see where changes are needed. For instance, if the middle of your story drags, you might need to cut unnecessary scenes or add more conflict.

Self-Editing Techniques

After revising, it’s time to edit your work. Self-editing is a crucial skill in learning how to write a story. Start by checking for consistency . Ensure that characters act in ways that align with their personalities and that the plot doesn’t have gaps or contradictions. For example, if a character is afraid of heights, they shouldn’t suddenly climb a mountain without explanation.

Next, tighten your prose . Look for areas where you can be more concise. Remove unnecessary words, redundant phrases, and anything that doesn’t serve the story. This makes your writing clearer and more engaging. Also, watch out for clichés . These overused expressions can weaken your story. Replace them with original descriptions that better capture your unique voice.

Seeking Feedback

External feedback is vital in the revision process. After you’ve done your self-edits, consider sharing your story with beta readers or a writing group. These readers can spot issues you might have missed, such as unclear plot points or characters that need more development.

When receiving feedback, it’s important to stay open and objective . Criticism can be tough, but it’s meant to help you improve. Focus on the suggestions that resonate with you and use them to strengthen your story. For example, if multiple readers mention that a certain scene feels out of place, it’s worth re-examining that part of your story.

Final Steps: Polishing Your Story

You’ve revised and edited your story, and now it’s time to polish it. This final stage is crucial in learning how to write a story that’s ready to share with the world. Polishing involves careful proofreading, proper formatting, and preparing your story for submission or publication.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the last line of defense before your story goes out into the world . It’s about catching those small errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation that can distract readers and undermine your professionalism. Take the time to read through your manuscript slowly, line by line. Look for common mistakes like misplaced commas, incorrect verb tenses, or misspelled words.

A clean, error-free manuscript shows that you care about your work and respect your readers . It also makes a better impression on agents, publishers, or anyone else who might read your story. Consider reading your story out loud . Hearing the words can help you catch mistakes that your eyes might skip over.

Formatting and Presentation

Once your manuscript is error-free, focus on formatting. Proper formatting makes your manuscript look professional and easy to read. If you’re submitting to a publisher or agent, follow their specific guidelines. Common formatting standards include using a readable font like Times New Roman, double-spacing the text, and including page numbers.

Different formats may require different presentation styles . For instance, a manuscript intended for print might need different margins or paper size than one intended for digital platforms. If you’re self-publishing, make sure your manuscript is formatted correctly for the platform you’re using, whether it’s an eBook or a print-on-demand service.

Presentation matters because it’s the first thing a reader or publisher sees. A well-formatted manuscript shows that you’ve taken the time to present your story in the best possible way.

Submitting or Publishing Your Story

After polishing your story, it’s time to decide how you want to share it with the world. There are several avenues for publishing, each with its own process.

Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to agents or publishers . If you choose this route, you’ll need to write a query letter. This letter is your pitch, a brief introduction to your story, and why it would be a good fit for the publisher. Keep it concise and professional. Highlight the main points of your story, such as the genre, the central conflict, and what makes it unique.

Self-publishing is another option. It allows you to maintain control over your work and how it’s presented. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or IngramSpark make it easy to publish your book as an eBook or in print. However, self-publishing requires more responsibility , as you’ll handle everything from editing to marketing.

Online platforms , like blogs or writing communities, offer a way to share your story with a wide audience. These platforms often have less formal submission processes, making them a good option if you’re looking to get feedback or build an audience quickly.

How Bibisco Novel Writing Software Can Help You Write Your Story

bibisco novel writing software is a powerful tool that simplifies the writing process. It offers features designed for creative writing , helping you organize your ideas and stay focused. With bibisco, you can create and develop your characters, structure your plot, and manage your scenes.

bibisco provides a clear overview of your story , making it easier to see how all the pieces fit together. You can track your progress, set writing goals, and keep everything in one place.

Whether you’re just starting or refining your draft, bibisco supports every step of your writing journey .

Conclusion: How to Write a Story

In this guide, we’ve explored the key steps a writer should follow to learn how to write a story. Each step brings you closer to creating a story that resonates.

Writing is a journey, and every story you create is a step forward. Embrace the creative process, even when it feels challenging.

Remember, storytelling has the power to connect people and share experiences across time and place. Your story, no matter how small it seems, has the potential to touch someone’s life. Start writing and let your voice be heard.

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4 Responses

Adorei as orientações! Um resumo muito útil inclusive para professores de linguagens.

I enjoyed reading this article as it gives a complete guide to creative writing in a quick read rather than a 400-page book. Thank you.

Thank you for reading, Hamish.

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Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Enroll at pcc, planning your first term.

Use this page as a guide to help choose your first term of classes at PCC. Most new students take the following classes their first term:

Part-time schedule

Writing class, class from your major, full-time schedule.

• 2 classes – choose from: math class, class from your major, or general education elective

Most new students take WR 121: Composition I . You should take whichever writing class was recommended during the placement process. See how to find your writing placement: ready to register .

After completing the placement process, you can decide if you want to take a math class. Learn about how to choose math classes . See how to find your math placement: ready to register .

Browse the class schedule for intro classes in your area of study. If you haven’t chosen a major yet, choose a class in a topic you’re interested in exploring.

Gen ed electives

Gen ed classes are courses in subjects like history, science, and humanities. See a list classes that meet degree requirements here: general education classes .

Online classes: before registering for a class that is fully online, you’ll need to complete the Start Guide for Online Learning .

First term class options

Below are examples of first term classes for common majors. If you don’t see your major listed, see the list of academic programs .

Classes without prerequisites

Since you’re just getting started, you may not meet the prerequisite requirements for many classes. Some classes don’t have prerequisites, meaning you can enroll in them without having completed other classes. The list below shows classes you can take right away, allowing you to explore subjects and build your transcript.

Classes with no prerequisites

• Art 115: Basic Design – 2D Foundations
• ART 116: Basic Design – Color Foundations
• ART 117: Basic Design – 3D Foundations
• ART 131A: Drawing I
• ART 140A: Intro to Digital Photography
• ART 141: Intro to Photography
• ART 219C: Hand Lettering
• ART 237A: Drawing the Human Figure
• ART 253A: Ceramics I
• ART 284A: Watercolor I
• ASL 101: American Sign Language I
• CG 100: College Survival and Success
• CG 112: Managing Test Anxiety
• FR 101: First Year French
• GER 101: First Year German
• HE 242: Stress and Human Health
• HE 250: Personal Health
• HE 295: Health and Fitness for Life
• JPN 101: First Year Japanese
• MUS 101: Introduction to Music
• MUS 190: Introduction to Piano

Classes that only require placement into WR115

• CG 111A: Study Skills for Coll Learning
• CG 140A: Career and Life Planning
• CG 145: Stress Management
• HST 100: Introduction to History
• LIB 101: Introduction to Research

Classes that only require placement into WR121

• ENG 104: Intro to Literature
• ENG 107: Intro to World Lit – Early
• ENG 197: Film Studies – Themes and Genres
• ENG 205: British Lit from 1700
• ENG 250: Intro to Folklore and Myth
• ENG 258: African-Am Lit
• ENG 261: Literature of Science Fiction
• FN 110: Personal Nutrition
• NAS 240: Intro to Native American Lit
• WR 121: Composition I
• WR 240: Creative Writing – Nonfiction
• WR 241: Creative Writing – Fiction
• WR 242: Creative Writing – Poetry
• WR 243: Creative Writing – Script Writing

If you have questions about getting started, please contact us .