Meaning, genre and purpose most important in motivating children to write

Literacy expert Matt Glover has more than 20 years of experience as an educator in the US, including 12 years heading an early childhood school in Cincinnati, Ohio. His work with kindergarten and first-grade students showed him that we often underestimate what young writers can achieve. Since then, Glover has written several books on literacy development, including Engaging Young Writers, and Already Ready (with Katie Wood Ray). Glover was in town earlier to speak at a regional conference hosted by the Hong Kong International School. Here he shares some insight on how to build confidence, competence and a positive disposition in young writers at home and in school.

What are the best ways to motivate young children to write?

Three things are important in building engagement in writing. The first is “meaning”. Children write better and with more stamina about things they find meaningful. In order to have meaning, we need choice. We shouldn’t assume every child to be equally engaged with a certain topic.

Choice of genre is also important. In school, we often teach writing in specific genres – like opinion essays or feature articles. Children have favourite genres just like adults do, so choice of genre affects energy for writing as much or even more than choice of topic.

The last is “purpose” – why are children writing something? They might put up their writing on the refrigerator or in the local skateboard shop. Whatever it is, an authentic purpose gives children more energy for writing.

How can parents apply these ideas at home?

Parents usually have insight about purposes, topics and genres that are meaningful to children. In school, the genres taught are often not the ones children are passionate about. If children love fantasy writing – as many fourth and fifth-graders do – but have no opportunity to do so in school, encouraging them to write in this genre at home is important.