Encourage kids to practice writing about topics that interest them. That could be a “how-to” on their favorite hobby. Or the agenda for the weekend. Low-pressure writing tasks can feel less like work to kids and even make writing fun.
Quick tip 2
Be a scribe.
Be a scribe.
The physical act of getting words on paper or typed out is often a barrier to writing. Have kids say out loud what they want to express. You can write or type it word for word.
Quick tip 3
Try graphic organizers.
Try graphic organizers.
A blank screen or empty paper can make writing down ideas feel overwhelming. A structured outline or template can help kids come up with ideas and organize writing assignments.
Quick tip 4
Make a plan together.
Make a plan together.
Kids may put off a writing task until the last minute. Or they might worry about how long it will take, so they avoid it altogether. Have kids look at the task and help them decide how much time it needs. Then schedule that time and build in a break.
Quick tip 5
Praise the effort.
Praise the effort.
Struggling with any skill can make kids feel like they’re not smart. And it can be especially frustrating for kids who want to write but have trouble with it. Celebrate small wins and praise their efforts as kids work on writing tasks.
Some kids have a hard time putting their thoughts “on paper.” They struggle to come up with ideas, organize thoughts, or figure out how to start or finish a piece of writing. Teachers often call these written expression skills.
When kids have trouble with written expression, it doesn’t mean they’re not smart, or that they’re not interested in writing. Many kids who struggle are trying as hard as they can. They may just need more practice and better support.
When young kids have trouble with writing, it could be their age. Not all kids develop writing skills at the same pace. And the differences can be even greater for kids who are young for their grade.
Sometimes kids struggle because they haven’t been taught important writing skills in school. This includes harder skills like how to organize a research paper. Or the basics, like when to use a comma or period.
Some kids have learning and thinking differences that cause trouble with writing. One is called written expression disorder. It refers to difficulty organizing and expressing thoughts in writing. Or they may have trouble with mechanical writing skills like handwriting. Kids who struggle with focus can also have trouble writing.
Reading challenges like dyslexia can cause trouble with writing, too. That’s because reading and writing are language skills that work together. Learn about signs that kids struggle with reading.
Dive deeper
Types of written expression skills
Expressing ideas in writing is one of the hardest things kids do in school. It’s a complex task that requires a bunch of skills. These include:
Using proper sentence structure
Writing in different genres (persuasive essays, narratives, etc.) and about different topics
Planning, editing, and revising writing
Reflecting on the process of writing
Understanding what’s read and using that information when writing
Understanding and using relevant vocabulary
If kids have trouble with any of these skills, the result can be poor writing. Learn more about these skills.
At the most basic level, kids need to have good handwriting and typing skills so what they write can be read. Learn about trouble with handwriting.
Signs of written expression disorder
Writing trouble can show up in lots of ways. Kids who have a hard time with expressing ideas in writing may:
Make excuses, complain about, and avoid writing assignments
Be able to tell a story or share ideas out loud, but struggle to do so in writing
Write or type very slowly, or sit for long periods of time without writing
Finish a writing task quickly without giving it much thought
Here are some things you might see in kids’ writing (including short-answer questions on tests) when they struggle to express their ideas:
Words that are misused or that have the wrong meaning
Words that are repeated over and over
Poor spelling
Grammar errors, like missing verbs or incorrect noun-verb agreement
Words and sentences that don’t make sense
Essays or papers that lack organization
Written work that seems incomplete or half-done
Important facts or details glossed over or missing
An important factor to take into account is age. For example, a second grader might use the same adjective over and over, and that’s OK. But if it’s still happening in late grade school, then it can be a concern. Explore writing skills kids are expected to have at different ages.
Next steps
No matter what’s causing the trouble with written expression, there are ways to help. Families and educators can work together to understand what’s happening. An important step is to take notes on what you’re seeing and look for patterns. Then share your notes and talk about strategies to try.
Parents and caregivers: Try these conversation starters to help you talk with your child’s teacher about writing challenges.
Make practicing fun.
