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There has been many debates on how best to help prepare America's children to compete in an ever changing and fast paced world. There is much talk about the need for innovative ideas and better technology. But the simple truth is, if we want our children to be able to compete on every level, and in every field of endeavor, we must start with the basics. Good writing skills are at the heart of preparing our children for the future. How does your child gain such fundamental and necessary skills? While no program, and no amount of commitment can ensure that every child will succeed there are things, you as a parent can do to help your child learn to write well.

1. Start young. Even before birth it is believed that a child can hear their mother's voice. Talk to your child from the time of conception and keep talking. The first step in writing well is knowing words. The more words a child hears, the more they will know.

2. Read to your child and encourage him to read. Good writing starts with hearing and seeing good examples of writing. The more your child reads, the more examples he will see of different writing techniques and different ways to express thoughts and ideas.

3. Play word games with them. When they are young you can play rhyming words games, as they get older, you might try scrabble or upwords with them.

4. Set and example. Studies have shown that children who have parents who read are more likely to be readers themselves. The same is true of writing. If your child sees that writing is an important part of your life and something you enjoy, they will be more likely to become writers themselves. Write to them personally, even a short note about something they did you liked, gains their attention.

5. Present your child with concrete ways to encourage writing. When they are young, make up stories with them and write them down into a "book" of his very own. Allow your child to make the cover and the two of you read it together again and again. As they get older encourage them to write their own stories, and make sure your read them and discuss them with your child, applauding their efforts. Present them with a journal or a diary an encourage them to use it. Or encourage them to have a pen pal with whom they can share ideas while they practice writing.

6. Have them put requests for changes of house hold rules in writing complete with reasons why the rules should change. For example: If your child wants a later bedtime, then have him present a written argument as to why you should grant this request. Be sure though, that it is a rule you are going to seriously consider changing or your child will become frustrated.

These few simple techniques, Of giving your child the opportunity to hear and see the power of words and then encourage them to use them in written form should help you put your children well on the road to be a excellent writer, and might even give them a life long love of writing.

Learn more about this author, Martie Lownsberry.
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