Goal: Encourage self-expression, improve storytelling skills, and enhance vocabulary.
Materials: Notebook or journal or word/google doc, pencils/pen, markers, stickers, and a comfortable space for creative writing.
Weekly Breakdown
Week 1: Getting Started with Simple Stories
Child’s Responsibility:
- Write or draw a short story about their favorite activity during the day.
- Add one or two sentences describing what happened and how they felt.
Parent’s Responsibility:
- Provide prompts like, “What made you smile today?” or “What was your favorite part of playtime?”
- Sit with them while they write or draw to encourage engagement.
- Read the story together and praise their effort.
Week 2: Adding Details
Child’s Responsibility:
- Write another story about their day but include more details, such as the people involved or the setting.
- Use colored pencils to draw something from the story.
Parent’s Responsibility:
- Guide them by asking questions like, “Where were you?” “Who was with you?” or “What did it look like?”
- Teach them how to add descriptive words, e.g., “happy laughter” instead of just “laughter.”
- Encourage them to use stickers or drawings to make the notebook fun.
Week 3: Experimenting with Dialogue
Child’s Responsibility:
- Write a story including a short dialogue between themselves and someone else. For example, “I said, ‘Let’s play!’ My friend said, ‘Okay!’”
- Use quotation marks to show when someone is talking.
Parent’s Responsibility:
- Explain how to write dialogue in a story with examples.
- Role-play conversations with them to make it easier to think of dialogue ideas.
- Highlight the importance of showing emotions in dialogue, like saying, “I shouted happily” or “I whispered sadly.”
Week 4: Creating a Full Story
Child’s Responsibility:
- Write a complete story from beginning to end. Include what happened, how they felt, and what they learned or enjoyed most.
- Add illustrations to go with the story.
Parent’s Responsibility:
- Help them organize their ideas into a simple structure: beginning, middle, and end.
- Celebrate their creativity by reading their story aloud to other family members or displaying it proudly.
- Provide feedback by praising specific details in their work and gently suggesting areas for improvement.
Learning Outcome
By the end of the month, your child will:
- Feel confident expressing their thoughts through words and drawings.
- Understand storytelling basics, such as structure and dialogue.
- Enjoy a personalized creative writing experience that builds vocabulary and encourages self-expression.
Optional Bonus Activities
- Create a “Story of My Month” booklet with all their weekly entries.
- Host a storytelling session where they share their favorite story with family or friends.