Lately I’ve been encouraging my oldest to write more. We don’t follow any sort of curriculum but I do require her to write something every day whether it’s an email or writing in a journal. Lately she has been extremely responsive to writing in a journal. We use a numbered list of writing prompts. Every day she picks a number, we look it up on the list, and that’s the prompt she responds to in her journal.  It’s working out great but I’m hoping as we do this more and more she will organically start to write about other things and not necessarily need those prompts. For now though they are extremely helpful. With that in mind I thought i would put together a list of writing and journaling resources that you all might find helpful:

5 free writing and journaling resources for young writers

• Journal Buddies has lists of journal prompts listed by subject and grade.
• Postcrossing is a site where you can sign up to send a postcard to anyone around the world and have one sent to you. This could also lead to great discussions about the countries the children are sending the postcards too or receiving them from.
• For older kids they could become involved with a local newspaper or apply for this great opportunity from Schoolastic Press to be a kid reporter.
• E-mail (aka the modern pen pal). Having a list of friend, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents etc… to write to and share their day and thoughts with is wonderful. This is by far the easiest and most motivating writing resource in our home.
• Blogging! A blog can be a great way to promote writing and journaling. There are free sites such as WordPress.com and Blogger.com where kids can set up and account and get started in a matter of minutes.