If You Want Your Kids to Write, Give Them Something to Write About

Last year when we were in Pacific City, OR we became friends with our camp neighbors who were visiting the Oregon Coast for one primary reason: crabbing. They shared a bountiful crab feast with us, brought us fresh crab for days in a row and even took Sam and the boys out on their boat to get to experience crabbing firsthand. Ever since that week last August our boys have wanted to invest in crabbing gear and pursue it as a new family hobby.

This summer we are back on the Oregon Coast and the boys have been discussing the pros and cons of getting into crabbing since we crossed the Columbia River. I have been reading Help! My Kid Hates Writing, Julie Bogart's latest book, which has inspired us to partner with our kids to not only teach them how to write, but how to love writing.

Writing about real things with a real purpose and a real audience, is one of the essentials in helping kids find a passion for writing. As the boys continued to list the many benefits they thought would come with pursuing crabbing, we encouraged them to channel their passion and excitement into a written project. The assignment: write a paper and give a presentation that convinces Dad to buy crabbing gear and take them crabbing.

Never before have we seen them so motivated to write. They got to work as soon as we got home and were up the next morning typing away before we even got out of bed. A writing assignment that could result in eating fresh crab cakes? They were hooked.

We helped guide them through the process of creating such a project: brainstorming, creating an outline for a persuasive essay, including logistical information in the form of a gear list and adding flair with some creative storytelling. Together they wrote a persuasive essay, a very amusing story detailing pulling up and dining on huge quantities of crab from the Newport crabbing pier and a thorough list of all the gear required for a successful crabbing mission.

The moment the kids completed their writing they were ready to present their case. C scuttled sideways (like a crab, of course) while reading his creative story, and J presented the many benefits of crabbing, including spending time with their daddy, learning a new skill together and taking full advantage of the unique opportunity to be staying just five minutes away from the Newport Crabbing Pier, with a convincing passion. Five minutes later they were in the car on their way to the local crabbing and fishing supply store.

Just like the longstanding writing advice to "show, not tell," if you want to teach your kids the importance of writing, don't just tell them, show them. Show them that their writing matters. Give them a reason to write, listen to their words and show them that what they wrote made a difference.

On Friday our kids spent hours brainstorming, writing and presenting. On Saturday they were eating delectable crab cakes made of the crab they helped catch, clean and cook themselves. And they know that writing is what made the difference.