Why It’s Important to Build Your Child’s Writing Muscle

Physical activity is important for kids for so many reasons – it helps to make them strong, confident, and physically healthy. Reading and writing are similar in that they also make our children stronger, but by developing their intellectual and emotional skills.

Reading and writing are critical tools to begin building in children as early as possible. We’ve recently talked about ways in which to encourage your child to become a super reader, but it’s just as important to encourage them to become a super writer too.

These skills are like muscles – the more you use them, the stronger they become.

Why encourage them to write? Here are some of the benefits of encouraging your kids to write creatively.

Expands Imagination and Creativity

Most kids have fairly vivid imaginations. While we see it often in play time, harnessing this creativity and putting it on the page can be a magical experience. For some kids, understanding that they have the power to create stories like the ones they read by themselves, is transformational and often leads to even more creativity.

Fostering this creativity also helps kids become better problem solvers. They will expand their thought processes to create characters, describe detailed scenes, and write dialogue for their characters.

Fosters Self-Expression

Not only is writing an important practical skill, it’s also a wonderful way for kids to express themselves. Many children may not have the verbal skills to express their feelings or they may not feel safe doing so. Writing offers a safe place for them to write down their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or retribution.

Builds Self-Confidence

Writing gives kids an opportunity to develop their own “voice.” They can express their thoughts and opinions, which in turn can build their confidence as they get to know themselves better.

Teaches Communication and Persuasion Skills

As your child begins to develop their skills, writing can help them to organize their thoughts and help them to begin to understand how to craft and shape persuasive arguments. Using structure and craft can help to build their analytical skills, and as they read more of their own writing, build their linguistic skills as well.

All of these are critical skills that will help your kids in school and into their adult lives.

In our next post, we’ll discuss a few ways you can encourage and support your kids to help them build their writing muscle.