How to teach a child writing skills?

Writing is a cornerstone of learning, communication and confidence. But teaching a child how to write well isn’t just about grammar worksheets or spelling tests. It’s about helping them find their voice, organise their thoughts, and enjoy the process of putting pen to paper. Whether you're a parent, teacher or tutor, here’s how to do it right, with a touch of strategy, patience and creativity.

Why teaching writing matters early

The National Literacy Trust found that children who write daily outside of school are five times more likely to reach the expected writing standard. Strong writing skills support:

• Clear thinking and problem-solving

• Confidence in school and later in work

• Emotional expression and resilience

  
  

And importantly, early writing development is closely linked to long-term academic success.

1. Start with talking and storytelling

Writing begins with thinking, and thinking starts with speaking. If your child can tell a story, they can learn to write one.

Encourage them to:

• Tell you what happened in their day, in order

• Make up silly stories about pets, monsters or superheroes

• Retell familiar fairy tales in their own words

  
  

Oral storytelling helps them learn structure, flow and vocabulary without pressure.

2. Build their vocabulary naturally

Rather than drilling them with word lists, build vocabulary through conversation, reading and play. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation suggests that children learn best when new words are introduced in context, not isolation.

Try:

• Reading aloud and discussing new words

• Exploring synonyms and opposites during everyday chats

• Using fun prompts like picture cards or emotion wheels

3. Make handwriting part of the fun

Don’t let messy handwriting become a barrier. Fine motor skills and pencil control take time, so make it playful:

• Use colouring, tracing and dot-to-dot activities

• Write in sand, shaving foam, or with chalk outdoors

• Let them choose funky pens or notebooks

  
  

The goal is confidence and fluency, not perfection.

4. Read widely and often

Children who are read to regularly have a stronger sense of sentence rhythm, word choice and structure. According to a report by the Department for Education, daily reading is one of the biggest predictors of writing ability.

Encourage:

• Fiction and non-fiction books

• Comics, poetry, song lyrics or recipes

• Talking about what they liked or didn’t in a story

  
  

Make reading a shared, enjoyable routine.

5. Break writing into manageable parts

Many children struggle because writing feels overwhelming.

Teach them how to:

• Plan: using spider diagrams, bullet points or storyboards

• Draft: allow them to write freely without worrying about mistakes

• Edit: focus on one improvement at a time (e.g. stronger verbs, sentence openers)

  
  

Praise the process, not just the result.

6. Use engaging writing prompts

Inspiration matters. A blank page is daunting, but a quirky prompt can unlock imagination.

Try:

• "If I could talk to animals for a day…"

• "Write a letter to your future self"

• "Invent a new holiday and describe how we celebrate it"

  
  

At LetterLab, we’ve helped children create beautiful keepsake letters to their grandparents, pets, or even to themselves, and the impact is lasting.

7. Celebrate their efforts

Display their writing proudly. Share it with relatives. Post it on the fridge. A child who feels proud of their writing is more likely to keep going.

You could even:

• Create a "writer of the week" board

• Make a simple book from their stories

• Send a letter they've written to a real person

LetterLab can help

At LetterLab, we support children (and their grown-ups) with everything from school letters to creative writing projects. Our bespoke letter writing service nurtures confidence, expression and clarity, all with a human touch.

If you're unsure how to encourage your child's writing or want something memorable, we’re here to help.

Final thought

Teaching a child to write isn’t about pushing them to be perfect. It’s about showing them that their words matter. With the right support and encouragement, writing can become a joy, not a chore.

Useful links for further reading:

• National Literacy Trust - Writing enjoyment and attainment

• Education Endowment Foundation - Improving Literacy

• UK Government - Reading and writing standards