Writer’s Notebooks for Emerging Writers

 

We all know that forming a reading life is important, but I would argue that forming a creative writing life is a close runner-up.

I can’t imagine where I would be without writing as an outlet, a tool for dreaming and planning, and as a way to communicate with God. 

My oldest is just now learning to write which makes it difficult to do any of the things I just mentioned, but I’m learning that I can write for her when she has ideas that she wants to capture that are too difficult for her to sound out. At this point, my goal for her is to enjoy the idea process!

My daughter keeps a writer’s notebook where she journals about her favorite memories alongside sketches of those memories. My daughter enjoys coming up with free verse poems from time to time and I attribute this to the poetry read aloud we enjoy once a week during tea time. 🫖 She also likes to keep lists of the chapter books she has read!

Creative writing for little ones often comes naturally, for example my children love creating menus and little storybooks. This type of writing happens outside of a notebook but you could also encourage story writing/illustrating in a notebook!

Sometimes I write the words for my emergent writers so they can copy and take ownership over the page having their own handwriting. Invented spelling is encouraged but sometimes they just want to spell it correctly!

I think the most important first step is to get notebooks in their hands, especially ones decorated with things that are special to them. At the same time, it’s important for us to model what a writing life looks like, during our prayer time, as we make lists in the kitchen, and as we collect our own creative ideas!

You can access collectables here which are designed to inspire you to write and collect in a writers notebook!