There are just those children who LOVE to write (I was one of them) and find a way to add writing into all sorts of pretend play and games. However, for those who don’t, here are some ideas for how to sneak a little writing practice into ordinary games and play. Children may find that they don’t hate writing nearly as much as they think they do.
Often, children think of writing as this painful, time-consuming thing they have to do in school—where their spelling is scrutinized and they have to write stories and such about things that don’t interest them in the least. Plus, for beginning writers, it can be extremely frustrating because they can’t actually get out on paper all the creative thoughts that are racing through their heads—they just can’t write fast or well enough. But, in a child’s ordinary games and made-up play, there are all sorts of opportunities for writing…
Playing school seems obvious, but what about playing restaurant or travel? A child can write up menus, order tickets, itinerary, make passports, and other tickets—all of these projects involve writing, spelling and penmanship. Also, playing grocery store (making signs and pricing) or “town” (one of my kids’ favorites) can involve all sorts of writing. What about a writing a play and designing tickets and a playbill? Developing a newspaper that tells all the happenings of the day and doing an imaginary news report or television show are other play activities where writing is inevitable.
My children used to love to add “mail” to all sorts of other games they were playing. If they were playing Oregon Trail or town or some other simulated living game—writing notes and leaving them for each other in pretend mailboxes was definitely part of the game. Make sure you’ve got plenty of fun scraps of paper (these can be recycled), envelopes, pens and pencils available as part of your child’s play supplies—and you may notice that writing just automatically finds a way into his or her games and play.
See Also: The Joy of Found Toys and Made-Up Games
Pretend With Your Child and Improve His Future