For a year now my two boys have had their own blogs. I initially started a blog for my oldest because his handwriting skills were holding back his creative expression. Of course my then four year old wanted one too. Now a year later they are still blogging.
My seven year old uses his blog to do book reports, report on what he has learned, or just to express his thoughts. My five year old uses his to express his thoughts.
Right now I’m using a whole language approach to creative expression. By doing so, I don’t correct my child’s misspellings or grammar. When my older son does an assignment like a book report we do go over misspellings, grammar, punctuation, and/or the syntax of sentences, but I don’t correct anything to do with creative expression.
Now I do cover grammar, spelling, and punctuation formally. I’m currently using Bob Jones English with my 7 year old and Write About Me with my 5 year old.
Blogging gives my children writing practice in a way that they find fun. My seven year old is getting more and more confident in his writing. As I write this he is now completing a lesson in Bob Jones English on learning how to write instructions. My five year old blogged today about his favorite colors. He is a beginning reader and writer so much of his posts are difficult to read.
My kids love to see their published work online and get even more excited when they receive a comment. I prescreen all comments. Overall it has been a very positive experience for me and my children.
Awesome! I’m teaching a blogging class at our co-op this year. I was inspired by Ron Paul’s book, The School Revolution, to get them started on a blog.
It’s fun to start blogging with your kids. These can help them with their creativity and also help them express their opinions and thoughts. Start to make a blog for kids.