From scribbles to stories: How writing helps children’s literacy flourish
Sharing a cringey story from my youth...
When I was about ten, I created an imaginary pen pal named Miranda. She was inspired by Miranda Kerr — who, at the time, reigned supreme in Dolly magazine — and in my mind she was endlessly glamorous and worldly. Writing to Miranda made journalling feel less like a a personal habit and more like sharing secrets with a friend.
Looking back now, I can see that my early love for writing to “someone” played a huge role in shaping my future. I didn’t know it then, but those pretend letters were quietly building the skills that would one day lead me to my first job as a journalist and then onto a marketing exec.
Why early writing matters
When children put pen to paper, they’re not just practising spelling or handwriting. They’re learning to organise their thoughts, structure ideas and express themselves clearly. These are the very building blocks of literacy — and the earlier they’re nurtured, the stronger they become.
The role of play and imagination
Educational researchers have long linked imaginative play to literacy development. Creating characters (like Miranda), telling stories, or even drawing pictures to match words helps children develop:
- Vocabulary – describing things in different ways
- Narrative skills – understanding beginnings, middles and ends
- Confidence – believing their words are worth sharing
How journalling boosts literacy in everyday life
1. It makes writing personal
When kids write about something meaningful to them — a funny moment, a secret wish, a wild idea - they engage more deeply with the process.
2. It encourages regular practice
A Pass-Back Journal keeps the habit alive without feeling like “practice” in the school sense. Every entry, whether a sentence or a page, is another chance to strengthen language skills.
3. It connects reading and writing
When children re-read their own words (or yours), they’re reinforcing spelling, grammar, and flow without it feeling forced.
A story worth keeping
When I read back over my childhood diary, I can see the progression: messy letters to joined-up writing, short sentences to full paragraphs, scattered thoughts to carefully told stories. Each page was a step toward becoming someone who could tell a story for a living.
That’s the magic of encouraging kids to write — you’re not just supporting their literacy now, you might be planting the seed for a lifelong passion.