Seven ways parents can get their kids excited about writing

This June 2017 photo provided by Writopia Lab shows Leila Cisse , left, and Nyla Blake-Sodden taking part in a Writopia Lab in New York. Writopia's mission is to use creative writing to foster "joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens of all backgrounds." Whether you're writing an email or a novel, it's vital these days to understand the craft of telling a story and telling it well. For kids, writing well helps not only at school but with many off-the-page skills, from confidence to creative problem solving. (Writopia Lab via AP) This June 2017 photo provided by Writopia Lab shows Leila Cisse , left, and Nyla Blake-Sodden taking part in a Writopia Lab in New York. Writopia's mission is to use creative writing to foster "joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens of all backgrounds." Whether you're writing an email or a novel, it's vital these days to understand the craft of telling a story and telling it well. For kids, writing well helps not only at school but with many off-the-page skills, from confidence to creative problem solving. (Writopia Lab via AP)

By Associated Press August 7, 2017 6 min read

Whether you’re writing an email or a novel, it’s vital these days to understand the craft of telling a story and telling it well. For kids, writing well helps not only at school but with many off-the-page skills, from confidence to creative problem solving.

What children may not understand is that writing can be fun. Educators say there are many things parents can do at home to get kids excited about writing.

Here are seven.

1. USE WHAT THEY LOVE

Show your children there’s more to writing than book reports and research papers. Those are important, yes, but the first step to helping kids enjoy writing is giving them freedom to write about what they love.