1. Story Starters

Why it Works: Encourages imagination and creativity.

How to Do It:
Give your child an incomplete sentence or scenario to spark their creativity. Examples:

• “One morning, I woke up and discovered I could talk to animals…”

• “If I could invent a new holiday, it would be called…”

Encourage them to write a short story (3-5 sentences to start) based on the prompt. Story starters help children think critically about characters, setting, and plot development.

2. Describe the Picture

Why it Works: Builds descriptive writing skills and attention to detail.

How to Do It:
Choose a fun or interesting picture from a book, magazine, or even a family photo. Ask your child to write about what they see, using as many descriptive words as possible.
Example questions to guide them:

• What’s happening in the picture?

• What sounds or smells might there be?

• How would you feel if you were in the picture?

3. Letter to a Friend or Family Member

Why it Works: Teaches structure and purpose in writing.

How to Do It:
Have your child write a letter to a friend, grandparent, or even a fictional character. Teach them how to structure it with a greeting, body, and closing. For extra fun, provide envelopes and stamps so they can mail their letter or pretend to deliver it.

4. Create a Character

Why it Works: Introduces character development and storytelling basics.

How to Do It:
Ask your child to invent a character, giving them specific details to think about:

• What’s their name?

• How old are they?

• Where do they live?

• What’s their biggest dream or fear?

They can draw a picture of the character and write a paragraph about their life. This exercise helps them focus on details and develop their imagination.

5. Word Bank Story

Why it Works: Enhances vocabulary and encourages creative thinking.

How to Do It:
Give your child a list of 5-10 random words (e.g., “dog,” “mountain,” “sparkle,” “treasure,” “storm”). Challenge them to write a short story or paragraph that includes all the words. This activity pushes them to think outside the box and use their vocabulary in unique ways.

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