Texas PTA Conference, Creative Writing for Kids, Literacy, Creative ...

Every summer the Texas PTA holds their Summer Leadership Conference in the fun and exciting downtown of Austin Texas. This will be my third year to speak at the conference on the topic of? Creativity, Imagination and Creative Writing. The world of imagination has increased at such fast and extraordinary levels by experts and professionals, but what about for children? It is my personal belief that children and parents must now fight against these amazing yet "blocking" developments in technology in order to exercise a young person's natural creative side. I question if the natural flow of energy is being zapped out of our kids and even discouraged by the societal switch to technology, media, electronics and socializing via short text messages. Is it not cool to make-believe and pretend anymore? Is there a cultural conflict called "I'm bored" if a child does not have a phone or computer in front of them at all times? I like to stay optimistic and say, no, but we all have witnessed these changes.

In my field of study, I do have some hope. I've seen the way a child lights up when being creative. And why wouldn't they light up ... it's a NATURAL GIFT of childhood. There are three pieces to what I do when teaching creative writing to children. They include encouragement, seed planting and reward.

Encouragement means so many things when teaching children. One, it serves as their fuel, fire and developer of self-esteem. When I'm excited for them, they naturally catch my excitement in the classroom. They run up to me with a new idea, and no matter how "silly" or "over the top" it may seem, to me, their mentor, it is amazing! Encouragement in any field of creativity also requires a banning of perfectionism in the first stages. I meet so many kids who are afraid to go with an idea in fear of disapproval or the work not being perfect in the first go-around.

I tell children in the first 5 minutes of teaching: CREATIVITY plus PERFECTION equals WALLS, WRITER'S BLOCK and LOSS of INSPIRATION!

The best visionaries and creative people are messy. They let their imagination guide them. Their mistakes often reveal the answer. I tell children, their first rough draft will show them what they really want to write later. We use EDITING for a reason. But we don't start editing when we are trying to be creative. These are two different parts of the brain.?

The second part of my teaching technique has to do with planting ideas into a child's head. There are many ways I approach this technique and in different stages. First we go through heavy brainstorming before we ever start writing a story. Brainstorming happens everywhere and in every situation, so I use some of my own examples from my own writing. Kids love hearing that when I moved to Southern California to study surfing and beach life for the sake of Snap Shell in the Turtle Town Series, I used to carry a little notebook with me everywhere I went and write down what surfers were saying to each other on the beach. I've turned people who I've met into great characters. Some of the things that I've never done in my life, I decided to learn about so I could write fiction on the topic later. For example, baseball in my Summer League sequel for the Iggy the Iguana series and of course surfing. People watching is the greatest and easiest way to get ideas for writers. I tell children, Writers carry a pen and paper with them at ALL TIMES! My best ideas come to me as I live life, but I'll forget them if I don't write them down daily. IDEAS are EVERYWHERE! There is no time to waste on being bored either.

After hearing these silly strategies, the kids are open and ready to try it for themselves. Eventually they are willing and ready to hear more. I teach them ideas on how to get to know their character, the purpose for more characters in the story and how characters are symbols for change in the hero's journey in all stories. We use movies and their own books that they love as examples. Yes, this means I must watch movies and read children's books for my job. Their own writing becomes a game, just as the entire workshop was game-like. I could go on with more planting ideas, but eventually we must reach a payoff for their new-found excitement for creative writing.

Rewarding children is a type of reinforcement that all parents and teachers know works for kids. This concept even goes into adulthood. Recognition, grades, publication, raises, allowance, promotions, honors and just telling someone you appreciate them goes a really long way in life. I truly believe in the power of early successes. When children at a young age feel successful, it shapes their confidence, self-esteem and even their personality. Yes, I know we all can not be good at everything, but if we find something that we are good at or love at an early age, it encourages us to keep trying and challenging ourselves. Children need this positive foundation especially as their brains and personalities rapidly grow during their elementary years. I like to find something about all of my students that stands out and makes them and their work different. They are rewarded for this at the end of my summer creative writing camps. In addition to that, the students who become extremely serious about their work by the end of the camp are encouraged to enter my publishing contest called I Write Short Stories by Kids for Kids sponsored by my Literacy Foundation, READ3Zero. www.READ3Zero.org

READ3Zero is a Non-Profit Foundation which publishes an anthology of short stories written by 3rd-8th graders. The poetry division is open to high school students as well. Artists can enter the cover art contest and be the official illustrator for the book. The purpose of this contest is to take kids dreams and creativity seriously and give them real opportunities to stand out. All of our winners are also invited to a huge book signing party each year. I often get the winners on the news or interviewed for a magazine. The impression is long lasting for these kids.?

This weekend at the Texas PTA Conference, I will be speaking more on these topics and giving handouts and worksheets to add to teacher and parent toolboxes. I hope to give everyone a fresh and new outlook on creativity for kids. See you on Saturday July 28th at 4pm in room 17A. I will also be signing Iggy the Iguana and Turtle Town books at the book store at noon.

Melissa M. Williams

Literacy~Creativity~Learning

Source: http://www.melissamwilliamsauthor.com/2012/07/texas-pta-conference-creative-writing.html

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