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More Than Meets the Eye: Daily Writing Has Long Lasting Benefits for Student Writers
Submitted By Club Z
A writer's world is often an imaginary land, filled with extraordinary characters and endless possibilities. Even in the ugliest of circumstances, there is always hope for a happy ending, or at the very least, some sanity.
Surprisingly, the creativity that students pour into the art of writing can significantly impact their well-being. The very real effects of writing travel a far distance from the fictional worlds of plots and heroes; daily writing can make long-lasting, positive impressions on the mental, emotional and physical well-being of the people holding the pens.
Today, most school curriculums validate the importance of writing and incorporate the process into as many aspects of the curriculum as possible. In English classes across the country, students learn grammar, paragraph structure, and the proper support of a well-developed thesis statement. However, without undermining the value of formulaic writing, it is important to ask if students are hearing the other voice of writing: the voice that isn't afraid to speak a student's individuality, emotions, opinions and truths.
After the Story Ends
When we open the hands of writing, we see it holds far more benefits for children than most parents would ever suspect. Writing is one of the best tools for sharpening thinking skills. In her essay "Never Too Early to Write," Deb Bonte summarizes, "If teachers who want to encourage students to be good thinkers are not using creative writing, they are missing out on the best way to get students to process information, which is especially valuable to learning."
Student writers analyze perspectives, formulate opinions and speak their inner voices through the careful selection of the written word. Student writers also enhance their decision-making skills with their selections of writing topic, tone, audience, wording, etc. In addition, writing impacts listening skills. The process of interviewing sources, receiving criticism and listening to other students' stories refines students' ability to process information. Consequently, Bonte reminds parents that increased writing practice boosts achievement scores on standardized tests and the speed at which children learn; thus, daily writing practice should be acknowledged as an integral part of a child's intellectual development.
Healing Words
As if that were not enough, research has revealed the marvelous effects writing has on physical health. James W. Pennebaker, Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas in Austin, has conducted widely acclaimed and respected research studies on the effects of writing on health. Pennebaker claims, "writing or talking about emotional topics has also been found to have beneficial influences on immune functions, including t-helper cell growth.
So what can parents do to integrate writing into their children's daily lives? Parents can begin by creating writing places in their homes, filled with different styles of stationary, journals, favorite notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, paint sets and easels. Encourage children to write about what is on their minds, linking emotions to the details of important events.
For information on Club Z call Pat Nelson at 760-747-1600.
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