Writing Prompts for Kids

Sitting down to write something can be a difficult task to begin. It is very hard for most people to simply start writing; most need a topic to begin with, and writing prompts for kids are especially needed. Children may have more creativity than some adults, but are less able to focus on something and start a project. Providing them with a prompt helps them start, gives them a jumping off point to start a story or journal entry. Still, parents and teachers should be somewhat careful when providing prompts for kids.

If they are too sophisticated, have too many large words, or are on a topic too advanced for the child, he or she may not be able to use it. Children are also easily frustrated, so providing an unsuitable prompt can lead them to give up on the exercise or not try very hard. Writing prompts for kids should be fairly simple, yet challenging enough to engage them. Good prompts might be about what they have been working on in school, a recent trip or event they have been to, or about a favorite hobby. Prompts should use words that are age appropriate, yet also push the child to use new vocabulary and even look up new words in the dictionary. Finally, prompts should make the child think, challenge them to write about not just what they have seen or heard, but what they think about it. Writing prompts can be tricky, and those for kids should be written with extra care.

Related Information

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