The Benefits of s id K r o f g in it r W e iv Creat Education
By Rebecca Fraser Additional benefits of creative writing for kids are multifaceted and include:
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• Problem solving and analysis. By using their imagination and flexing their he emotional and educational benefits of creative writing have been creative muscle to come up with plots, alternative solutions, and organise celebrated for years. Taking pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard – to tell their thoughts and ideas, kids are learning to think beyond the square and a story is not just a springboard for a literary work; it’s considered a powerful actively seek fresh ways of identifying, assessing, and tackling problems. tool for social, academic, and emotional wellbeing. • Self-confidence. I often encounter children who are full of doubt about their This is especially true for children. Author VS Pritchett once said, “Writing ideas and abilities. Creative writing offers a safe and supportive environment enlarges the landscape of the mind.” It goes further than that though. When for them to find and express their voices. It’s so rewarding when kids who it comes to the benefits of creative writing for kids, especially those who may come to a workshop feeling nervous are sharing their work with pride and struggle to express themselves, their thoughts, or feelings, creative writing offers enthusiasm by the end. a way to channel their emotions and harness their imaginations into a vehicle of self-expression. • Discipline and Persistence. It takes time to organise your thoughts, create characters, dramatic plots, and interesting settings, and then put them into As a workshop facilitator for children of every age and ability, I’m always a cohesive sequence. Creative writing is a fun way to develop tenacity interested in how, through storytelling, kids explore their moral compass, and within kids … they often get so caught up with their tales they’ll spend hours tap into their understanding of the world around them. Whether their stories working on their stories completely unbidden. feature mermaids or unicorns, or school principals, farmers, or astronauts, the way they portray characters and the plots they star in consistently deal with issues and themes that are relatable and relevant to today’s youth.
• Inquisitiveness and Research Skills. Kids by nature are naturally curious. Writing creatively allows them to take it one step further by igniting a desire to learn more about something to enrich their tale, get facts right, or make it more believable. I’ve seen many kids become mini experts in their field of interest – whether it’s avalanches, panning for gold, the atmosphere on Mars, or how to slay a vampire!
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