(Artwork from Marianne Richmond's Hooray for You!)

Maybe your child already has plans to be the next J. K. Rowling, keenly writing away at their desk every day, or perhaps your child is a reluctant writer, not wanting to complete their social studies journal assignment. Either way, it's Encourage a Young Writer Day and we have something to celebrate! We have some tips and ideas to help your child bloom into an eager writer or expand and grow their love for writing and reading they already have.

Tips to Share with Your Young Writers

• Read, and read often.
• Read with a pen and notebook nearby.
• Write, and write often.
• Write about passions, experiences, real life (or imaginary life works too!).
• Write from the heart.
• Follow your curious mind.
• Learn form and structure first.
• Use family and friends to find character inspiration.
• Be observant. Bring a notebook wherever you go, writing down notes or interesting things that could later make it into a story, poem, or essay.
• Be daring with your words. Keep an interesting word log and record new words you come across—words you don't know or words you don't use very often. Other books you're reading or listening to others' conversations are great ways to collect interesting words or tidbits.

Ways to Encourage Your Young Writers

• Make writing/journaling dates together. Go to a special local spot to grab a hot chocolate or smoothie, and bring your pens or pencils, journals or laptops. Write about what you observe, or how the smoothie tastes, or what you're most looking forward to over the summer. Writing by hand is always helpful for younger writers and readers, but if typing on a computer is more inspiring for him or her—let them go for it.

• Encourage your child to share their work with you. Make sure you find three or four things to praise, and one suggestion to improve their work. It can be a school piece or something fun your child did at home.

• Read together daily, as part of your routine. Or, if your child is older, check in and make sure your child is open to reading for leisure. Of course you can, and should, still read together too!

• When you're reading together, ask your child to point out his or her favorite words, or words her or she doesn't know. Write them down in a journal, and look them up together. Later your child will have an entire well of word possibilities when feeling stumped.

• Celebrate your child's imagination, always encouraging them to unleash their wildest thoughts and stories. Who knows—it could be the next Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or James and the Giant Peach!

• Be as encouraging as possible, offering your child affirmation and positive reinforcement in their creative work.

Easy Writing Activities for Writers of All Ages

• Make lists. Start with simple topics, like "10 things that remind you of spring" or "Five of your favorite animals." Then, see how your child can incorporate these ideas into a story, essay, or poem. Remember, they can be as imaginative as they'd like!

• Use artwork, pictures, or photos for inspiration. You can even see if your child would rather draw a picture first before writing. Then they can use that drawing to create a story. Hint: These make great character or setting sketches!

• Write a how-to piece. Let your child choose write about what their favorite thing to make, do, or practice is. For example, if she loves to ride bikes with friends, let her see if she can put together interesting directions on how to ride a bike. (It's harder than you probably think!) This allows the writer to really strip down their writing technique and get to the core of their writing. It's just a great way to practice simplifying your writing.

• Make an "I Remember" collage. This exercise is inspired by author Joe Brainard, who wrote a collection of memories using "I Remember" at the start of each recollection. You should definitely do one too! Then, come together and read them out loud. You'll even sense a poem unfolding as you read/write these.

A Few Resources

Check out Second Story Window for some fun, prompted writing activities for kids, including workbooks, worksheets, etc. For example, find writing activities and crafts for each month of the year here.

Reading & Writing Readiness Pinterest board has some great resources for kids' writing and storytelling activities as well.

Inspiring Personalized Book for Young Writers

Happy Read Across America Day from Put Me In The Story! Let's honor this nationwide reading celebration with unique, personalized books that will get your kids excited about reading and writing. Don't forget to read loud and proud with your little ones today…and every day, of course.

For fun reading tips to celebrate Read Across America Day, scroll down!

Save 33% on the titles below with coupon code USA33

		Isabella: Star of the Story Personalized Book An ordinary trip to the library turns into an imaginative, literary adventure! As soon as you open the pages of this book, your little girl will be flying as Peter Pan to the children's section of the library, searching for the book that is juuust right as Goldilocks, setting off on a legendary dive as Captain Nemo, and more.
		More Bears! Personalized Book Warning: More Bears! is not a bedtime story—it was written to be read (and yelled!) out loud. This delightfully silly personalized book is sure to have your child calling out "More Bears!" within the first few pages!
		Hooray for You! Personalized Book Hooray for You! is a celebration of "you-ness"—the grand sum of body, mind and heart that makes every person truly unique!
		I Believe in You Personalized Book The title of this vibrantly illustrated children's book expresses everything that your child wants to hear. I Believe in You encourages your child to see their own strengths and talents as you do.

Inspire young readers today by…

• Reading a book with rhyme or song! Books with rhymes are great to read out loud, and are especially helpful for those younger kids just starting to read.

• Reading as a family, reading often, and reading aloud! Helping your child develop into a lifelong reader starts at home.

• Reading books that will take you somewhere you've never been today. It can be a book set in a unique location or an imaginary place.

• Embracing imagination! Imagination is one of your child's most powerful tools. Nurture it. Play dress up with inspiration from your child's favorite story. This will make reading the book that much more fun!

• Creating a colorful reading chart and putting together a realistic plan for you and your children to read more. Commit to your reading plan by taking a pledge together.

• Choosing books to read that celebrate reading, imagination, and your child's unique traits.