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Teaching creative writing to children is fun and rewarding. Kids naturally love to here stories read to them. As parents many times our children fall to sleep while being read to. Teachers can build a stimulating creative writing program in the classroom by giving the children a desire to write. Here are 5 steps to start a creative writing program.

1. Start small. Think of the most basic topic which is common to most of your students. Pets, parents and toys are some examples. Require the students to write 5 fictional sentences about the specified topic. You can have them write these 5 sentences as a story.

2. Dictation. As children have heard stories and are fond of them you can help them move a step further. To do this each student can dictate a story to you. You can either use a tape recorder or write it down while they are talking. In a later class the students can read their stories a loud to the class. This helps them make a connection between hearing a story and actually making one up.

3. Word processor. Kids take to computers very quickly and most of your students are probably already familiar with them. If possible have them start typing their stories on a computer as soon as possible. Using a word processor is much easier than writing by hand and so the writing will be easier. At first do not be too concerned with grammar, punctuation and spelling. After awhile you can gradually start showing the students how to make capital letters and use some of the grammar and spelling tools offered in most word processors.

4. Idea box. Bring a small box to class and tell the students that this box is only for ideas for stories. Let them know that others in the class will also have access to their story ideas so they may also want their own “idea boxes.”

5. Characters. Help the children come up with interesting characters in their writing. Show them stories from authors who are strong on character development. Make the main character likable. An author I like is Louis L’Amour. All of his main characters have high moral values and make honest choices. Of course they get the girl and are expert at everything they do.

Children often have active imaginations which is a necessary part of creative writing. You can get a creative writing program off the ground by first helping the kids come up with ideas that they can identify with. You can use things like dictation and word processors to make the writing easier. “Idea boxes” and character development are ideas that will get the children thinking more creatively. Have fun.

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