Writing is a part of our lives in so many ways: from everyday tasks like to-do lists, emails, and thank-you letters to personal moments of reflection like journaling or poetry. Outside the classroom, children become stronger writers with encouragement and modeling from parents and adults. Consistent access to writing and drawing tools can help young learners make writing a part of their day-to-day routines, allowing them to explore at their own pace. For older children, giving thoughtful prompts based on their interests will help get their creative muscles flexing – and the words flowing.
Of course, a love of reading goes hand-in-hand with a passion for writing. By exploring the world through stories, plays, essays, editorials and more, children are more able to understanding the complex structures of language at work. This helps children transition from the act of forming letters and simple sounds to a discovery of the types of writing that captivate and appeal to them.
Challenge your kids with the videos, activities, and writing prompts below. And be sure to check out our list of local organizations to help support you and your child’s literary journey. Then, keep the fun going with Learn Along Bingo sheets full of printable activities and everyday learning ideas for children grades Pre-K to 2!
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Building Writing & Reading Skills
How to Create a Literate Home: Young Child and Kindergarten
Grades PreK-K
While learning to play with the building blocks of language as a young child or kindergartener, your child can learn a lot from adults, as well as reading and writing materials.
Learning at Home: 9 Early Literacy Activities
Grades PreK-3
Here are some reading and writing activities that take little paper or preparation and can fill your home with letters, sounds and word fun.
Picture Books About Writers and Writing
Grades PreK-4
Celebrate the art of writing in all its various forms with these ten books that will tickle your children’s funny bones and teach them some history too.
Writing a Play | Drama Arts Toolkit
Grades 6-12
In this video from KET, high school students Aiden Phillips and Hannah Schmidt describe what they learned about playwriting through their involvement in the New Voices Young Playwrights Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Teaching artist Keith McGill explains how he coaches young writers in the playwriting process.
Activities, Crafts & More
Write and Play Found Poetry
Grades PreK-3
Found poetry, often described as the literary equivalent of a collage, is when you take existing words, phrases or passages and re-frame them to create poetry. Help your child play with words and express herself to create found poetry.
Where Would You Go?
Grades 1-3
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? Write and draw about it with this printable from Lets Go Luna!
Super Flip | Take the Stage
Grades 3-5
Learn how to write an expository essay with opinion, reason and evidence while creating your very own comic strip! With superhero Captain Opinion and her sidekicks, Reason and Evidence, the viewer goes on a fun adventure into the world of opinions and the importance of supporting them with lots of reasons and evidence.
Commentary Writing: Finding A Unique Perspective
Grades 6-12
In these three Youth Radio commentaries, young writers take a look at troubling aspects of their lives that they confront on a daily basis. By the end, they find a new perspective that gives them strength to move forward. Listen to the youth voices, and try your hand at writing your own! Or discuss the larger issues at hand as a class.
Sensorial Writing | Creative Lesson Plans for Personal Storytelling
Grades 6-12
In this lesson, students will explore vivid sensorial writing while considering how to write about smell, taste, or sound in a setting. This lesson is an opportunity to talk about the importance of the concept of “show, don’t tell” in writing.
Local Literary Organizations
Clinton Essex Franklin Library System
Instill a passion for reading and writing in your children with help from the Clinton, Essex, Franklin Library System. The CEF Library System is made up of 33 libraries and reading centers in the tri-county region, all open to the public with a variety of programs and offerings. Consult a map of library locations to help you find your local branch.
Adirondack Center for Writing
The Adirondack Center for Writing brings people and words together. The ACW cultivates the art of writing and the joy of reading; celebrate the power of language to invite discovery, to create an understanding of people and sense of place, and to build a community. Check out what’s new and newsworthy at ACW and be sure to visit their Saranac Lake location for drop-in reading, writing, and community time.
Quebec Writers’ Federation
The Quebec Writers’ Federation provides English-language programs, services, opportunities, and community for aspiring, emerging, and established writers and the wider community. QFC works to undertake activities which will increase public awareness of the literary arts and of literary institutions within the province.
Learn Along Bingo
With Learn Along Bingo, children can view, explore, and play as they learn alongside their PBS KIDS friends on the PBS Kids 24/7 channel. We hope your family will use it to inspire learning each and every day.
This time, we’re growing as writers. Children write to express ideas using letter-like shapes, symbols, letters and words. We learn that writing is meaningful!
Grades PreK-K
Play & Learn: In this packet, there are printable activities and everyday learning ideas for you and your child to choose from. As you complete each square, mark it off to celebrate the learning!
Grades 1-2
Play & Learn: In this packet, there are printable activities and everyday learning ideas for you and your child to choose from. As you complete each square, mark it off to celebrate the learning!
For even more games and educational resources for young learners, go to the Growing as a Writer collection on PBS KIDS for Parents.