I’ve had a hard time coming up with a blog idea this week.  Ideas typically spiral through my mind and I have to hone in on one, but today it has been a struggle to select a book to write about.   Then a thought occurred to me:  maybe our kids need to be the authors occasionally.  

Even little ones have ideas, magical ideas, that can teach us about who they are and how they think.  Maybe one afternoon, after reading a book or two, we can ask our little ones if they want to write a story and be the author themselves.   They don’t have to be able to write; that can be our job!   Can you imagine how important they will feel, being the author?

All we have to do is this:

1. Get some paper, whatever is available, and fold in into some sort of book form.
2. Characters: ask them who or what they want their story to be about; suggest pets, family or friends, outings, silly family traditions, their favorite characters from other books or shows, or if they want to be the main character themselves!
3. Setting:   ask them where the story will take place.
4. Conflict:  explain that most stories have some sort of problem or situation that needs to be handled.  What is their character’s problem?
5. Start writing; do your best to write down the story as they tell it.
6. At some point, suggest a “resolution”.  “How is your character going to fix his or her problem?” Continue writing (condensing if necessary 😊) and finish the story.
7. Praise your little one for creating their own story!  Read it back to them so that they can see the wonder of what they created!    Ask them what they want the title to be (this can be easier at the end rather than the beginning) and write it at the top, and then add their name as the author. How cool will that be?

Now the extra fun part can be giving them the “book” and asking them to illustrate what they have just explained in words.   Not only are we spending some creative time with our little ones, but we are getting a little glimpse into their hearts and minds.    We may get a little peek into what is bothering them, what they are thinking about, and how they solve problems.  This time together may open the door for some helpful conversations. 

They will most likely want to “read” and share their story with other family members as well.  Be prepared for the story to evolve and become a bit more exaggerated each time.  That’s okay!  Maybe they’ll want to write about this character on another adventure next week.  You never know what kinds of seeds you are planting as you talk, create, and illustrate together.   All I can say is, future teachers will thank you, and you’re creating special memories at the same time!