Summer vacation provides an excellent opportunity for children to explore their creative writing skills. Dr. Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D. and senior vice president for education outreach fro Sylvan Learning, has developed the following tips to help parents encourage their children to write over the summer:
Pick an Engaging Topic
Persuading your child to write over the summer break may be easier if you help them identify fun and engaging topics. Suggest some timely subjects.
- For example, Independence Day on July 4 or Canada Day on July 1 are good opportunities for your children to explore their own patriotism.
- Ask them if they know what patriotism is, and what it means to them. Encourage your children by helping them with some research about America, its history, people and places.
Give Story Starters
Sometimes the most difficult part of writing can be getting started. Help your children write their patriotic essays by giving them topic ideas, such as:
- I am proud to be American/Canadian because…
- On the Fourth of July/July 1, my family and I usually…
- If someone asked me what my country means to me, I would say…