writing

Online Learning with Night Zookeeper

 in activities for children / creative writing / education / learning / reading / writing  tagged parenting by

Online Learning with the Night Zookeeper is a paid collaborative post. I have posted before about how much I love the Night Zookeeper range and how their personalised books can really help reluctant readers. You might already be aware of the amazing books by Joshua Davidson which introduce them to the importance of creativity and friendship, but did you know that the Night Zoolkeeper is also an English language curriculum for ages 6-12 that can be used as a fun online learning program to supplement your children school work at home – Keep reading as we have an amazing offer for you.

Memory Stones – An alternative to Scrapbooks 19

 in childrens craft / craft / crafts / Nature crafts / Summer / summer activities / writing by

We wote the event and date on one side and then they boys drew an image to represent the time on the other. This is Maxi’s airplane. We used Glotto Metallic Pens, which we received from YellowMoon. They are brilliant on the stones and really stand out. We are keeping our stones in a kilner jar, one for each of the boys and I hope to have two full jars at the end of the holidays, so I can varnish them and place them in the garden.

Encouraging Writing in Boys 10

 in writing  tagged boys / encouraging wiring / letters / penpals / stamps / writing by

With the onslaught of electronics in todays lifestyle writing can sometimes take a backseat and I for one am keep to encouraging writing in my boys. I think the fact that Maxi is both a reluctant reader and writer makes me more determined to find ways to encourage this skill. Mini who is nearly seven loves to read and write and can often be found with a notebook and pencil in hand and is keen to improve his handwriting as he wants to get awarded a handwriting pen at school.

Over the summer holidays last year we focussed a lot on writing and pen skills including making our own books, creating a writing centre and making memory stones.

One of the things that I discovered was that good quality writing equipment was key in helping both the boys Triangular and wide pencils were easier for them to grip[ and paper with lines on made it easier too. Good quality paper that they can press on without ripping is essential. I also found that providing them with notebooks and letter writing stationery or their own choice helped to encourage them.

Journaling

Now the boys are a little older (eight and nearly seven) we have moved on and they are currently filling in a Q&A a day for children journal each night before bed. These are brilliant journals, which asks a simple question each night and your child completes it. It is only a sentence, so fast and simple to do before bed. I want the boys to get in to the habit of writing and feel this is a fantastic way to do that,m plus a good way of recording how their answers change each year.

Maxi is also putting together a scrapbook style journal of our recent trip to Orlando (more about that in the near future).

Penpals

Both the boys also have a penpal that they write too. This is a great way of encouraging writing, penmanship and also communication skills. They choose their own stationery and learn the joy of sending and receiving letters. We have even been collecting stamps to make a display with. I know that the boys are excited to use the special edition Dr Who Royal Mail stamps (released to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who this year) on their next letters.

Summer Holidays – The write way! 5

 in writing  tagged encouraging writing / writing by

This summer is going to be the summer of writing at The Mad House and we would like you to join us. I have blogged about encouraging and nurturing writing in boys and why writing is so important. Good writers make good readers and vice versa, but good writers also make great students. The speed and ease or children’s writing has been found to gave an impact on children’s success. Efficient writing (legible, almost effortless and quick flowing) helps ensure that children’s pencils can keep up with their thoughts.

So the plan is to have weekly tasks and to make time to do them in our days. They are going to be both fun and enjoyable and something that we can do as a family and I would love for you to join in with us.

Create a writing Center