Aiding Some of the Youngest Future Authors

Greetings again. I hope that all is going well for you.

Here in America, many children are now starting their school year. Therefore many newspapers and magazines are publishing back-to-school articles.

Some of the articles discuss clothes for schoolchildren to wear. Some suggest foods for children to take to school for lunch. Some offer advice for keeping children safe and healthy when they go to school.

Recently I read a short back-to-school article on helping one's children to develop writing skills. When I read this article, I realized that the future authors whom we aid need not be adults.

Rather, we also can help children to develop writing skills that will aid them later in life, either as researchers or in other careers. Importantly, we also can help children to develop a positive attitude toward writing.

Suggestions in the article on helping children to develop writing skills included the following:

• Write notes to children, and have the children write back to you.
• Read aloud with children.
• Set aside times for children to write.

Some other ideas to consider are the following:

• Be a good role model by mentioning writing that you’re doing.
• Show a positive attitude toward writing.
• Encourage children by praising strengths in their writing.

In short: If you have a child—or if there are children whom you know—consider providing some author aid!

May all of you have a good week. And to those who will be observing Eid al-Fitr, Eid Mubarak!

Barbara

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