Understanding why we write and knowing how one should go about writing are essential factors needed to write well! This presentation on writing by Sriparna also suggests activities for children to develop the habit of writing.

1. Writing
Preparation and invitation for writing

2. Why do we write ?
To communicate To preserve an idea
or meaning

3. What is happening now
Children are mechanically learning to write words.
Where is the
purpose of
writing?

4. From talking to writing
 Children should see writing as a means to say something to someone.
 They should have the desire to share their perceptions
A child who has never
been asked to talk or
whose narration has
been ignored or
criticized will hesitate
to speak. The teacher
needs to rebuild that
confidence and
encourage such
children to express
more.

5. The role of drawing and painting
 Alphabets are abstract symbols or letters used to convey feelings. The ability to
remember and write them does not happen overnight
 Children can use language and write better if they are allowed to explore different
media independently
 Drawing and colouring, pouring water, lifting with fingers, sorting things like seeds
develop children’s hand movement

6. Begin with the familiar
 Talk about sets of things – household
objects and other familiar things that
could come under a set – clothes
vehicles, utensils. Ask children to name
the different things that come under
each set
Eg. Spoon, pan, cup under utensils.

7. Collecting signs
 Depending on the area you can choose signs of different kinds like slogans on the
walls, posters and advertisements .
 Ask children to copy the signs they see on their way to school. Write all the signs
on the blackboard and ask children where they found them and what they mean.

8. Completing words
 Pair the children. One child will start a word, the other one will finish it. They will
take turns till each has completed ten words successfully.

9. Just one word
 Form groups of five. Select one child as the starter in each group. The starter
thinks of a sentence but he can only write one word on the paper which now goes
to the next child in the group.
 The paper keeps going round till the sentence is complete.
 When a sentence is complete a new sentence can be then started.

10. Drawing a map
Ask the children to tell the class how they go home, describing briefly two or three
things that they meet on the way.
When every child has had a chance to tell, ask them to draw a map showing the route
they just talked about. As the map progresses, go to each child and write the name of
one of the objects he wants to show. Ask the child to copy the word below the map.

11. Places around us
This is an extension of the previous activity.
Ask the children to draw maps of places they know.
For eg. The classroom, nearby pond or river, market, temple etc.
Write the name of any one object shown on the map at the appropriate place.

12. Getting there
Ask children to find out from their elders the names of nearby places or towns.
Write the names of these places on the blackboard. Ask children to copy them.
Arrange the names according to direction, making a simple map on the blackboard. Create
a dialogue based on the map.
For example :
 ‘Where are you going?’
 ‘I am going to Jhansi’
 ‘Where is it?’
 ‘In the north’
 ‘How far…’
Introduce words for direction and distance.

13. Writing about pictures
 Divide the class into groups. Each group gets a picture. Allow the children to
observe the picture for five minutes.
 Ask five questions around them. The children write the answers to these questions
 Start by asking children to describe the pictures. Then proceed to more complex
questions.

14. Listening to sounds
 To do this activity for the first time, include four or five older children who know how
to write
 Divide the children into groups of five or six. Each group has to prepare a
list of all the sounds that can be distinguished by the group members.
Each group can move around a little and note the different sounds.

15. Making poetry

16. Provide an incentive for writing!