How Writing Benefits a Child’s Learning and Development and Encourages Parents and Students to “Fight for Your Write”
Amid numerous technological advancements, the evolution of smartphones, and a decreased focus on writing in U.S. schools, a new campaign has launched to energize parents and educators about the importance of writing and its continued benefits for children.
Writing engages different brain circuits than keyboarding. The contact, direction and pressure of the pen or pencil send the brain a message. And the repetitive process of writing integrates motor pathways into the brain.
A recent report from the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC), suggests that one of the best predictors of whether a child will function competently in school – and go on to contribute actively in our increasingly literate society – is the level to which the child progresses in reading and writing.
“Writing is an essential tool for learning,” says Pam Allyn, literacy advocate, education expert, author and founder of LitWorld, a global organization that advocates for children’s rights as readers, writers and learners. “The practice of writing helps with learning letters and shapes, and can improve idea composition and expression, as well as fine motor-skill development – all important foundations for future success.”
Parents play a key role in a child’s development. It is important to build a climate of words at home. The basis of good writing is good talk, and younger children especially grow into stronger control of language when adults share and discuss those experiences.
Pam Allyn discusses:
- The importance of writing for children
- How the digital age is affecting writing
- How writing fosters children’s emotional growth and critical thinking skills
- How writing improves children’s academic achievement
- What parents can do at home to help encourage writing and join the crusade to raise awareness
ABOUT: Pam Allyn, spokesperson for BIC’s “Fight for Your Write,” is the Executive Director and founder of LitWorld. She is also the Executive Director and Founder of LitLife, a national organization dedicated to school improvement. Pam is an acclaimed author and is widely known as a motivational speaker advocating for reading and writing as human rights that belong to all people. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Oprah Radio, The Huffington Post and in The New York Times.
