Well-written

 I recently read an article (unfortunately, I can't remember where it was, so I can't reference it!) that talked about how hand-writing is nearly a thing of the past.  Most kids are proficient at typing yet lack the skill of writing by hand.  One teenager that was interviewed in the article said that he never has to hand write anything at all! 

I remember learning cursive writing and being chastised because the slant of my writing went the wrong way!  (I also used my left hand when I was a baby, and rumor has it that my dad kept putting my fork in my right hand!)  The teacher actually put masking tape on my desk and on the floor to show me how my feet and arm/hand should be positioned when I wrote!  Can you believe that?  I definitely know how to write--even if my slant still is non-existent!

There were several really great "writing" ideas in the December/January 2010 issue of Family Fun magazine.

• Save well-written thank you notes from others and let your kids look at them the next time that they need to send a thank you note.
• Address a large envelope to a relative and then let your family put items in there to send and share.  Could be a note, a picture, an award, anything that your kids want to add.  When the envelope is full, mail it off!

But this is the idea I loved the most!  Probably because it has to do with reading too!

• For a  great way to get some reading and writing in between family and friends,  decorate a three ring binder with a pocket in the front.   Add some paper.  Insert your child's current favorite book and have her write about it on the paper.  Then send it to a friend or family member.  That child can then read the book and add her comments AND send a new book back with new comments about that book.  I think this is such a cool idea!  Kudos to Ashley Rebman for coming up with this idea!  She says that the binder has traveled back and forth every few weeks, and the kids have learned more about each other (they are cousins) and about subjects that they might not have read about without this interaction.

Do you have any great ideas to encourage your kids to write?  Or how about any other horror stories from your youth about learning how to write?

Comments

[mamabee43]

What a great idea! And how resourceful is Jade's mom? But I think G's note is the best! Must be those great values you're instilling in your son!

[bronwyn]

We got our kindergartener a box of letter size envelopes, return address labels (the ones that come from non-profits)and a collection of pens and pencils. He's a writing machine. He's got a note pad and different colored papers to write notes. One went to school to another student, and a girl no less! The mom said she found out who wrote it by looking at the return address label then refering to the class picture. The letter read: Dear Jade, your the best thing. :)