Games for Writing: Playful Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Write Paperback – August 31, 1995

This is a great way that has gotten him interested in writing. He was never that excited about practicing and this helped

Peggy Kaye is a master teacher and her simple approach to teaching helps the kids have fun while they're learning. I have several kids that I tutor and have tried just about every activity in this book and they have all been a big hit! Super helpful when you're child needs something extra but sitting and reading is hard and painful for them. Most of my students are reading for the whole hour they're with me and getting great repetition as well, but don't even realize they're reading. I highly recommend ALL of Peggy Kaye's books!

We were struggling with getting our son to write. He was resistant, because we were asking and telling him to do it. We were not making it fun.Reading this book has helped. Tonight I tried the silent game where you put a timer for 15 minutes and you communicate by writing each other questions and responding. We did it during dinner time and we passed the paper around writing different responses. We wrote a page and half and he didn't have time to resist writing because he was having fun. He is clearly quite capable when he is having fun and wants to. Get the book if you are having troubles.

I have been tutoring a little boy and he hates writing. I tried all kinds of techniques to get him to enjoy it. I purchased this book and I love it. Even I enjoy it more and am having fun teaching it more. I couldn't wait to get started and the boy I tutor actually asks to play some of the games without my suggestion. His writing is becoming more detailed and he's excited. There is nothing worse than teaching someone who has no motivation to write. The games in her book are so much fun and the kids don't even realize they are writing meaningful things. I have even instructed the child's parents on some of the games and they play them at restaurants and on trips. It's a really fun book.

I wish I'd found this book when my son was beginning Kindergarten instead of ending it! It has some very fun games - and I mean games adults would find enjoyable - that encourage writing without your child even realizing they are WORKING! The author tells several stories from her tutoring & therapy experiences which describe the difficulties encountered by every student at one time or another and how she specifically tailored a game to meet their needs. She then describes the game, gives ample start-off topic ideas and then tells you how her student responded to the game so you can be on the lookout for the same improvements. She also encourages the parent & student to just have fun and to NOT correct spelling - there is a time (and games!) for that a little later. You first want to build confident and creative writing skills, then polish it up with proper spelling and grammar as the child matures. Her playful approach is sure to get the most stubborn boy who wastes ALL his writing time sharpening every pencil he can find while he whines about not knowing what to do to agree to TRY without ever even mentioning he will be writing. You simply lay out to papers, two pencils and explain the game. The child will do whatever is necessary to play along with you because they LOOOOOVE attention from grown-ups and then before you know it they are writing!The book begins with a couple games for pre-schoolers and those who have just mastered holding a pencil. From there she gives a handful of games for kindergarteners and gobs of games for first through third grades. Each game has the appropriate age-range listed. Great book for summer work, additional fun practice and home schooling!

I purchased this book because I home school part of the year. My son likes math, hates to write. He goes through a lot of effort to avoid writing anything. For the time and effort we spend trying to write a tiny little paragraph we get so little done. In desperation I ordered the book and it does make a difference. Making him write is not an issue any more. He likes doing most of the games in the book and does not know he is writing so much. He is truly a child who only puts out effort when he likes something. It is the only way to keep the positive reinforcement going. I don't even read all the stories with each game, I quickly figured out to leaf through and pick games that look fun. And yes, he has asked to do some of the games, too. Whenever I hit a wall with creative writing I pull out this book.Thank you, Peggy, for writing it.

I've used a handful of Peggy Kaye's suggestions/games and they've all been a hit with my obstinately-refuses-to-ever-write elementary-aged student!! So simple, yet so effective, the games shift the focus from writing to game-playing / imagination / creativity. He wrote a full page on the very first day, WITHOUT COMPLAINT! Previously, this was impossible, and any attempt met loud and teary resistance. Thank you Peggy Kaye!!!

book was VERY lengthy! far to many stories and examples for my taste and, it's definitely more geared toward a younger writer as opposed to an older child. my son is in 3rd grade and i would say 90% of the book is for K-2. also, the games outlined for his age are definitely not anything he would be interested in. ever. look....if you have a younger child who might actually somewhat enjoy writing or at least not fight you to do it (which is what I get) than this would be a good book and can provide some different aspects for getting their minds flowing. for me...i have an 8yr old son in 3rd grade who would go to the ends of the earth to NOT ever have to do anything remotely related to writing or creative writing...so, this book was merely a waste of money. i "might" try and incorporate some of the ideas should he give me the chance to do so. until then, i have to tap into his interests which are far from anything language arts. sigh...