The Benefits of Summer Writing

As summer unfolds, parents often seek ways to keep their children learning without making it feel like "work." Summer writing is an excellent method for achieving this, helping prevent the infamous 'summer slide' where children lose knowledge from the school year. Additionally, regular writing boosts a child's ability to articulate thoughts clearly and creatively, enhancing their communication skills.

How Parents Can Support Summer Writing

The best way to encourage your child to write is to model it yourself. Show them how you take a few minutes each day to write in a journal and discuss what you write about. Then, take them to the store to choose their own journals or fun stationery. Writing can take many forms, from journals to letters to grandparents or even comic strips. Allowing your child to make small decisions fosters buy-in for their new writing habit. Here are some ideas:

1. Daily Journals: Encourage your child to keep a daily journal to document their day, feelings, or summer adventures.

2. Story Prompts: Offer creative prompts for stories or poems, like "What would you do if you could fly?" or "Describe a day in the life of your pet." Consider engaging books like Drip, Drop and Drizzle: A Journal to Grow Your Child’s Creativity for inspiration.

3. Writing Games: If your child is resistant to write, consider games and online apps that make writing a playful experience.

4. Summer Camps: Look for summer camps that provide a creative environment, such as The Drizzle Effect’s Writer’s Workshop Summer Series here in West Annapolis. Camp can help draw out even the most reluctant writers.

Acknowledging your child's efforts throughout the summer is crucial. By summer’s end, celebrate their writing by organizing a family literacy night where everyone shares their favorite pieces. You might even compile these into a family book. By weaving writing into your plans, you can instill a lasting love for writing in your child far beyond summer.

Looking for support for your child in reading and writing this summer? Contact us at The Drizzle Effect (www.thedrizzleeffect.com/contactus)  to see how we can help you.