Abstract
In the chapter How To Help Children Plan Their Writing, from our book How To Teach Writing, we explore the critical role of planning in enhancing children’s writing skills. Despite its proven benefits, planning remains underutilised in many schools. Effective planning allows children to organise and articulate their ideas, resulting in more coherent and higher-quality writing. The chapter outlines various planning strategies, such as talking, drawing, play, and graphic organisers, highlighting the importance of personal preference in choosing a method.
It emphasises the developmental appropriateness of book-making for younger children and discusses the advantages of visual planning techniques like drawing. Additionally, it provides a step-by-step guide for teaching planning strategies in classrooms, stressing the importance of modelling and practical application.
The chapter concludes with tips on fostering an environment where planning is integrated into daily writing activities, ultimately helping children to become more confident and skilled writers.
To find out more, download our book How To Teach Writing here.
