Your child is more likely to want to write at home if they see you writing. Try to involve them in real contexts for writing, e.g., shopping lists, thank you letters, cards, emails to family. Have writing tools and materials available for your child to use, e.g., whiteboard and pens, blackboard, paper, pens and pencils, keyboard.

The Ministry of Education’s website is an excellent resource and has lots of writing ideas suitable for each year group.

Ministry of Education

Useful Websites and Apps for Writing

Story Starters

Scholastic Story Starters is a fun way to generate ideas for writing. Spin the wheel to find out the genre, setting, and characters for your story!

Storybird

Storybird is a wonderful e-learning tool to support your child’s writing and creativity.

Book Creator

Book Creator is a very easy to use ipad and android app that lets your child create their own books.

Write About This

Write About This is another easy to use iPad App that has a New Zealand version too. Lots of great images to encourage and engage children in writing.