Is writing a write-off for your boy? Research shows that there is still a gender gap between boys and girls. In fact, girls are twice more likely than boys to get writing outside of lessons. Plus, girls enjoy writing far more than boys in school.
Is your son the same? It’s a worry as writing is an essential life skill.
Writing helps to formulate thoughts, and nurtures self expression – empowering young people to go out into the world and be heard. Writing letters, advertising one’s business, persuading a future employer to give you the job all involve having top notch communication skills.
That’s why it’s vital to nurture a love of writing from the word go. Even if your child is older, it’s not too late!
How to ignite your boy’s interest in writing
- Tick their boxes. Boys will be more willing to get writing if it’s connected to something they love. It might be dinosaurs, superheroes, X Box gaming or football? Get them to make up a story where they are sucked into their console game; perhaps a Superhero gets lost and crashes into your school instead; maybe they time travel in a Tardis, open the door only to find themselves in a Jurassic universe!
- Create a comic strip! Boys are often visual learners. Get them to design a comic strip adding in the pictures, story and speech bubbles as they go. Or they could use an app by capturing phone shots they’ve acted out, and then uploaded to the app with the story line. Brilliant app idea here.
- Harness the digital revolution. Kids LOVE internet apps. Little wonder: their generation has grown up with them! Why not encourage their natural instinct to go online by encouraging literacy games such as these?
- Get competing! Boys love a good old competition. This Wicked Young Writer Awards could do the trick! Deadline for this year is almost up, but the site is fab as it’s full of great ideas to get your boy’s motivation pumping! Get them to read previous entries… There’s a non-fiction entry for 15+ young people too. Worth a go to get your teen interested in something real.
Need to switch on your child’s writing mojo?
Speak to us here at 121 HomeTutors about arranging private English or Literacy lessons with a fabulous tutor. Whether your child is in KS1 or 2, sitting entrance exams or GCSEs, mastering English is essential.
With tutors across the Manchester to Cheshire areas – including Stockport, Bramhall, Wilmslow and Altrincham – get in touch now.
Tags: apps to encourage writing, Comic strip writing, Wicket Young Writers Award, writing competition