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.
