Writing fosters verbal intelligence, enabling young people to understand better and use language effectively. Through creative writing, children enhance their vocabulary, storytelling ability, and independent thinking. Crafting their ideas, stories, and characters also stimulates imagination, encouraging all ages to explore diverse perspectives, invent narratives, and develop critical thinking skills. This combination of linguistic and creative growth equips developing minds with valuable tools for self-expression and problem-solving.

What if you were in the middle of a story and the listener stopped you to get paper and pen and record your story as you told it? Julie Bogart, a writing curriculum developer, suggests the storyteller might be filled with confidence as the growing story fills the page. This is one way to encourage storytelling in the very young before they have the skill to write. Dictated narratives will ease the writing tedium that deters some storytellers from recording their stories.

Parents can encourage their children to reflect and grow through sharing experiences with the written word. Encourage reflection with experiential writing prompts that teach a simple story structure. Beginning: Why did they decide to participate? Middle: What was their favorite experience? And end: What did they learn or achieve? These reflections can be recorded in a journaling notebook to start a lifelong journaling habit.

Create a time and place for writing. A fun activity is to set a one to five minute timer, then everyone, adults included, free writes from their stream of consciousness. The only rule is you may not stop writing until the time runs out. Invite sharing at the end but don’t require it. In my house, we have had “stories” that include some strangely spelled yet funny sounds, but also pretty interesting narratives that became a more fleshed-out story during a future writing session.

Allow mistakes if your child is writing. Celebrate their efforts and emphasize progress over perfection. Focusing too much on grammar and spelling during creative writing activities can hinder creativity and self-expression. By prioritizing content and ideas, young writers learn to value originality and storytelling. Grammar and spelling can be refined later during the revision process.

Support your child’s storytelling journey as part of their personal growth. The next time you are busy washing dishes or vacuuming and your child comes rushing in after school or outdoor play to tell you about their day, stop what you are doing, grab the nearest scrap sheet of paper, and begin writing the story down. They may stop in surprise for a moment but most likely the story will get bigger and better since they have your whole attention. You may not have a clean floor or dishes but you just gave value to the story they are telling, encouraging future stories to follow. Sharing stories helps children reflect, connect, and thrive.

Pam Kerley is the 4-H Program Assistant at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center. Year-long 4-H project record books exist like one from Ohio State Extension and 4-H, The Writer in You. A writing project can be submitted in December to compete with other projects across the state. For more information about this resource and others contact Lee County 4-H. 4-H is a positive youth development program that offers activities to fit various interests, backgrounds, budgets, and schedules. In Lee County, 4-H provides opportunities for youth through in-school programs, after-school activities, clubs, and camps, welcoming all children eager to have fun, learn, and grow. In North Carolina, 4-H is powered by NC State Cooperative Extension and NC A&T University, bringing expert knowledge, resources, and practical tools to enrich daily life and support community well-being.