PLAYGROUND SKILLS BUILD WRITERS
Don’t keep this secret from your kids! It seems at first logical to dismiss playground time as non-academic. But point out to your kids that you notice them using skills on the playground that will actually help them with their writing. “YOU HAVE THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO WRITE!” Make a BIG deal about this.
Here are some examples:
Practice: Your child is pumping their legs on a swing until they finally figure out the rhythm! You see them soaring in the air, high up on a swing with a great big smile. You might say, “I love how you practiced until you figured out how to swing high like that. I can’t wait to see how you bring that same determination into your writing this afternoon. I love how determined you can be!”
Bold Moves: You observe your children jumping on the trampoline, attempting somersaults and special tricks. You might say, “You are a risk taker on the trampoline! You did not know if you would land exactly where you intended, yet you went for it! This skill of taking risks in your writing will make your writing more interesting! YOU are interesting and I can’t wait to write with you this afternoon.”
Perspective: “As you tried to make your toy car go faster in the dirt, I noticed that you looked at the car from different sides and even flipped the car over to look underneath. You considered a few different ideas before pushing it forward. Considering different ideas and perspectives will come in handy as a writer. Also, settling on one idea, is being decisive. Good skills to have both outside playing and also when you are writing!”
Perseverance: “You just would not quit trying to go across those monkey bars today! I love your determination! You keep your eye on the goal! Let’s bring that same energy to set goals in your writing.”
Or, “You tried that cartwheel so many times, and each time your legs got just a bit straighter and your cartwheel looked better. When writers write often, the writing also gets better!”
WE ARE ON YOUR WRITING TEAM!
XO
Carrie & Emily
