People generally talk
about reading and writing together. Certainly, many of the skills that make
children successful at one make them good at the other.
For example, one
important reading skill that benefits from writing practice is identifying
details.
Parents should encourage
children to provide details in their own oral and written stories. This will
help them become more aware of the way other authors use detail.
One writing exercise
requiring details is to have children give directions. Ask them to write very
specifically how to get from home to school, or how to make a peanut butter and
jelly sandwich.
When children write
thank-you notes to friends or relatives, have them describe in detail the item
and how they will use it.
Children can also take
the clipboard along on family outings. Ask them to describe the “prettiest”
thing they see on the trip, or the most “unusual.” Then challenge them to list
as many details as they can, including shapes, colors, textures, and
impressions.
One way teachers measure
improvement in young writers is to look at their use of details. The same is
also true for improving reading comprehension: details matter.
