[chrischem]

Hello Everyone,

My 10 year old daughter loves to write and she can't get enough of it. She just finished her 1st play and is now writing a story. I feel like I don't know enough to help her as I am not one for writing. She gets a lot of her ideas from the books she reads - she's an avid reader. Should I look into a program, school, books to help her along? She read her play to quite a few people and they were amazed at her tenacity and talent. I feel badly that I can't really help her and I want her to continue to develop her talent but I still feel useless. Any suggestions?

[1956BD]

Here is my advice.

Provide her with the supplies she needs.

books
paper
writing utensils

Encourage her by listening to what she has read or read it yourself. Give her lots of praise. Tell her what you like best and what you want to hear more of.

Avoid correcting her grammar, spelling and sentence structure.

Discuss this love for writing with her teachers at conference time.

You might also give her a journal or diary to keep.

Read about authors with her. You will find many interesting bios online about authors of children's books. I would start with Patricia Palacco, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jane Yolen, Dav Pilkey, Andrew Clements, Judy Blume, Dr Seuss and Beverly Cleary. (only do this if she is interested)

Good luck with your budding writer.