Guest Blog: Nikki Young, children's book author - why writing is so important
In this digital age, never has it been so important to be able to communicate through the written word.
Writing skills are essential and we need to make sure our kids build a strong foundation in the mechanics of the English language from a young age to help them communicate now and into the future.
Why is writing so important?
Writing is a practical skill for life. It is something you do every day, often without even thinking about it. As an adult, this may be in the form of emails or letters, filling out forms at the dentist or doctors, making lists, job applications. Without those essential writing skills, these simple things would become arduous and would impede on your everyday life.
During lockdown, my children have been communicating with their teachers through emails and chats. This has been alongside video calls, but they have had to rely on their written skills much more.
Not only this, in educational terms, written skills are essential. From essays and assignments, to presentations and exams, there’s no getting away from it, and the easier it is for children to communicate through their writing, the better off they will be throughout their school careers.
If you practice something every day, it is inevitable you’ll get better at it.
There are several reasons for making writing a daily habit. One is that it improves the way you organise your thoughts and allows you to think things through logically and critically. Often, our minds know what we think or feel about something, but it is not always easy to vocalise this. Putting it down on paper really helps to properly formalise those thoughts. It is a fantastic skill for everyday life, as well as for school, where you are expected to be able to write persuasively, formulate arguments and organise your thoughts for essays.
Another plus for thought organisation is that it gives you clarity over something. Again, the mind knows what it knows, but it’s not until you see those thoughts in the physical form that it begins to make real sense.
In terms of learning, writing is also a great way to help commit something to memory. This is particularly true if you write by hand. Putting things down on paper in your own words also makes it easier to learn, because you have taken the time to think about what’s most important and what you need to remember about it.
Last but not least, a daily writing practice is a great way to exercise the creative brain. This comes from the fact you are constantly on the lookout for ideas and it means you begin to see those ideas all around you, in a way you never did before.
The last few months have been difficult, with children unable to attend school. However, this time is an opportunity for children to find a love of writing that is not confined by the National Curriculum. It is a time where children can be encouraged to write freely, record their thoughts in a journal, write about the beauty of nature, make their own books, re-write the endings of others.
By exploring writing in a different way, children will be able to discover the link between storytelling and creativity, with music and art, and most importantly, to discover the beauty of words and how crucial they are as a form of expression.
As an author, and writing tutor at the Storymakers Writing Club, I actively encourage daily writing practice. Throughout lockdown, I have been running daily sessions for groups or individuals, with my focus always on fostering a love of the written word.
In a world that shouts loudly, being able to express yourself through the written word is increasingly important. Writing gives you a voice. It enables you to communicate and be heard above the noise. To be able to write, and write well, is a gift to yourself.
This is why, for 5 weeks, starting from the last week of July and going right through August, I will be running a summer writing school for kids; just one hour a day to help keep on top of things, stimulate their imagination and get them writing.
The sessions will be at 9-10 a.m. daily at a cost of £45 for the week (that’s £9 a session).
They are suitable for children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. Booking is via the Storymakers website at: www.storymakersclub.com/workshops.
Nikki Young is a writer, author and editor. Her books include, The Mystery of the Disappearing Underpants and Time School: We Will Remember Them. The second book in the Time School series, Time School: We Will Honour Them, is out on July 23rd this year. Find out more about Nikki on her website: www.nikkiyoung.co.uk.