Guest Post: Why We Should Encourage Children to Write by Ken Myers

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With the prevalence of increasing standards at young ages in schools, are basic skills such as reading, writing and mathematics being pushed to the side? Well, it's hard to give an answer that works across the board. Whether or not it's true, children need to be encouraged to write.

1. College Level Problems


Talk to a number of educators at the college level, and you'll find that many of them report the same problems. The students simply do not know how to write. They do not understand basic rules of grammar, they cannot spell and they don't know how to format a paper.

2. Developing Creativity


Children should be encouraged to write so that they retain this basic skill; however, they also can use their creativity when it comes to short stories, poems and other free writing activities. They might express some of their own emotions and inner thoughts in the writing, or they may completely look outside of themselves for inspiration. Creativity is an important skill because it transcends the disciplines. No matter what field you're in, there are times when thinking outside the box a little bit is certainly helpful.

3. Developing Interests


When children are never asked to write anything, they don't have the ability to learn about and enjoy this hobby. Not all writing has to be formal and in class. They might be inspired to start a journal where they write when they are feeling down. As they age, they could feel a strong pull toward the writing profession. They may decide to choose a study and career path that allows them to be an English teacher, college professor, writing center consultant or a freelance writing. Instilling a love for writing early on can significantly impact them down the line.

4. Preparation for Careers


No matter what field you're in, you likely need to know how to write and read. If you're a lawyer, you often write up legal briefs. If you're in real estate, you have to prepare documents. If you're a doctor, you need to be literate to read your books and understand various conditions. When children grow up and enter the work force without knowing how to write, they are setting themselves up for a future of problems. Writing is connected to the field of communication. When people have trouble writing, they sometimes have issues expressing themselves in words. Writing is one of the beautiful tools that helps to keep people connected in jobs, at school and in their personal lives.

Whether you simply want your child or students to have basic skills or you are preparing them for future endeavors, teaching them how to write properly is a step that should not be skipped.

Author Byline:

Ken Myers is an expert advisor on multiple household help issues to many organizations and groups, and is a mentor for other “Mom-preneurs” seeking guidance. He is a regular contributor of “www.gonannies.com/”. You can get in touch with him at kmyers.ceo@gmail.com.