Writing Wrongs

By Evan Levy

Teens writing poetry about everything from family problems to broken hearts has always been considered a rite of passage. But lately, those churning out heartfelt sonnets and odes to environmentalism are just as likely to be thoughtful elementary school students as moody teens. Opportunities for kids to develop their writing skills are popping up everywhere, from local after-school programs to Internet sites. And kids, in droves, are taking up pen (and mouse) to pound out essays, poems and stories in record numbers.

In the wake of the events of Sept. 11, writing is more important than ever as a way for kids to explore and make sense of some of their feelings. "Parents might want to encourage children to try various 'writing exercises,' rather than ask a child to 'write what you feel,'" says Nancy Shapiro, who heads Teachers & Writers, a program that sends writers into New York City public schools and publishes books about teaching writing. "Writing exercises help the child focus on the writing task and let the feelings and ideas flow." Shapiro suggests, for example, an exercise based on Kenneth Koch's book Wishes, Lies, and Dreams: Teaching Children to Write Poetry. Have kids start a poem that begins "I used to/but now." The very act of writing may help children formulate some of their questions and give them a feeling that they have an outlet for their fears.

More and more kids are being invited to share written reactions to the terror attacks now that so many writing classes are being offered throughout the country. Teachers & Writers has seen enormous growth, according to Shapiro. The program reaches almost 35,000 kids a year, up from 14,000 a decade ago. The increase is due in part, Shapiro thinks, to a new understanding of how to make writing more interesting. "Writing used to be a punishment," she points out, using the classic image of teachers' assigning kids the task of writing "I will not spit in Susie's hair" 100 times. "In the past two decades, there has been a realization that with so many things competing for kids' attention, we must teach writing properly, show kids how powerful it can be." A student in the program explained that the classes introduced her to classic literature and also freed up her own writing.

"Creative writing has definitely become more popular--for all ages," concurs Phil Memmer, director of the Writer's Voice at the Greater Syracuse YMCA in Syracuse, N.Y. This program, part of a national network of similar groups run by different YMCA branches, includes a summer arts camp. Over the past year, Memmer's writing programs for kids have doubled in size. "More kids want to be authors," he says, "and there's a growing interest in poetry and poetry slams" (uninhibited, free-for-all poetry competitions).

Writers in the Schools, which sends authors into classrooms, is another program that helps beef up kids' writing skills. It operates in eight states, including Texas, Michigan and Oregon. Megan McMorran, Writers in the Schools program director in Portland, Ore., says requests for its services have gone up significantly in recent years, and the program reaches more than 1,800 students a year. "We used to have to call writers. Now writers flock to us," she says. "People are realizing how important writing is to all subjects. Sure, there is a perception that writing will help boost test scores, but it also gives kids a voice, especially those who feel alienated." McMorran cautions parents to realize that kids, when dealing with a horrific event, may not have the vocabulary or maturity to name the emotions they are experiencing, or that initially putting feelings on paper may make them too "real." Some kids seem to benefit from writing a fantasy scenario: a story in which they are heroes or a scene from a movie that can be rewritten according to their imagination.

Felicia Blum, who has taught a creative-writing class for middle school students at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for 12 years, says a good exercise is to invite kids to write a letter to someone they love. Writing, she says, is "a wonderful alternative to MTV, to technology. It's slow and thoughtful."

But technology has helped give kids more opportunity to write, because computers make it easier for kids to write faster and with professional-looking results. The computer also offers new writing outlets via websites, according to Kathy Henderson, author of The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published. "Some kids are just interested in sharing their work," she says. "There are plenty of sites where they can do that." Her book lists a number of websites for young writers, as well as literary magazines.

Want to encourage your child to write? Approach your child's school or the local YMCA about getting a class going. Check websites of national groups like the Writer's Voice to see what's in your area. Start a kids' writing group with other parents. When at home, read to your children--good readers make good writers. Encourage kids to write every day: letters to grandparents, haikus about their favorite dessert. Suggest they keep a journal and lead by example--let them see you writing notes and keeping a journal. Don't be critical of their efforts. The most important thing you can do overall is teach them to love language.