by Heather Tomasello

Created on: June 20, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2009

How to Use Free Writing to Help Children Explore Creative Writing

Many children feel intimidated by the writing process because they are afraid to make mistakes. The rules for grammar, spelling, and punctuation can loom large in their minds and stifle creativity.

What if your child/student could suspend the rules and write without paying attention to correct grammar and proper punctuation? In addition to structured writing, students need to spend time involved in this free writing.

Free writing allows students to warm up and become comfortable with the physical act and creative potential of writing. They can generate their own ideas and write without the pressure to perform that often stops a writer's flow of thoughts.

Lesson Introduction

Share this quote from C.S. Lewis with your students:

"All my seven Narnia books...began with seeing pictures in my head. At first they were not a story, just pictures. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe all began with a picture of a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood." (From the book, OF OTHER WORLDS by C.S. Lewis.)

Encourage your child to spend time engaged in free writing, or writing down pictures from their heads. Lay down the ground rules for free writing:

1. Punctuation doesn't matter.

2. Grammar doesn't either.

3. Spelling doesn't count.

4. Form doesn't matter.

5. The objective is to write as quickly as possible, filling the page and keeping their pencils moving.

6. Their thoughts may stray off-topic. That's okay.

Hands On

You might use these writing prompts to encourage students to write about whatever else is on their minds. Remind them of the rules for free writing (list them again). Encourage them to explore forms other than essay or narrative including poetry, a letter, drama, etc.

Try to picture your earliest memory. About how old were you? Why do you think this memory is so distinctive? Write about a vivid dream. Write about the room you're in. Be as descriptive as possible. Now, describe a room that you can't see but know well. Compare the two descriptions. What is the hardest thing you've ever had to do? What makes you laugh out loud? Describe in great detail your favorite meal. Who makes it? When do you eat it?

Daily Practice

Encourage the child in your life to continue to free write daily. If you are a teacher, you can give your student five to ten minutes each day in class, or ask them to keep a notebook or journal outside of class. A notebook with pages that can't be removed works best.

Explain that daily writing will help them become comfortable with the sound of their own words on paper. Free writing carries no pressure to perform, no deadlines to meet, no grade to worry about. It also yields other practical benefits. As your students write regularly, they'll become more comfortable with writing for an extended time period, an invaluable skill for in-class writing assignments and tests.

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