From role play to writing

• 5 Stars

At times it can be a challenge to inspire children to have the drive and confidence to independently initiate writing. It is crucial that they are given contexts, purpose and meaning for their writing; after all, as adults we never write anything without a reason.

I have found that using role-play areas provides the excitement and stimulation for children to write naturally, freely and with purpose. In a role-play area children can let their imaginations go and be in control of the direction and purpose of their writing. The role-play area is also wonderful for igniting the spark to being a ‘real’ writer – writing with passion, excitement and conviction.

That spooky time of year

As that spooky time of year approaches, I decided to utilise Halloween to full effect by capturing the children’s imaginations through stories and role play. Together we spent days studying Halloween-linked texts, from the classic Meg and Mog books by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowski (Puffin) through to the more recent Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (Macmillan Children’s Books, ISBN 9780333903384). As the children listened and responded with great enthusiasm and imagination, we explored the spooky language, characters, rhyme, rhythm and settings through guided and shared reading. This culminated in some wonderful story sessions and activities, with the children excitedly joining in with sound effects, taking on character roles, and using props.