Baby you were born to....write

That's right!  I believe we were all born writers.  Think about it, if you have young children you probably have already experienced them writing on a surface or themselves obviously without you telling them to.

Children love to write. This is one of those things that even though they may not see it modeled with the onslaught of technology,  when they pick up a writing utensil, they naturally know to scribble on something.  Then unfortunately, well meaning adults either at school or home, convince them otherwise and shut them down as writers.

We need to encourage this writing and allow them to 'write'.  Maybe not on the table but on paper, any type of paper.   Have a collection of sticky notes, computer paper, note pads, etc. so they may write anytime.   Have a collection of pens, markers and pencils available.

Writing is the reciprocal piece of reading.   When we read, we put the skills together to 'read' the words. When we write, we have to take the words apart to spell them.  As we read, our writing improves and vice versa.

When your child writes, before you think "oh she scribbled on that," say "Oh wow, look what you wrote.  Tell me about it."  Yes I realize you can't read it but your child will begin to see herself or himself as a writer.

As your child enters schools, whether it is prekindergarten, kindergarten or 1st grade, ask about the authentic writing experiences afforded to him or her.   I will write more about that later.

So sing Bruce Springsteen's....baby you were born to......write!  I am sure that's what he meant.