Ten simple strategies to teach children how to write

           Teaching a child to write is much more than introducing letters and words: it is opening a door to imagination, giving wings to expression, and strengthening autonomy. Writing is an act of freedom. And when this skill is cultivated with affection, creativity, and method, it becomes one of the strongest pillars of cognitive and emotional development in childhood. According to recent studies from Harvard, Stanford, and the University of São Paulo (USP), learning to write is deeply connected to sensory experiences, body movement, emotional bonds, and creative stimulation—precisely the principles that guide the so-called “Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy” (PCA), developed by Antônio Carlos dos Santos.

Inspired by his experience with children in various social contexts, Santos created three practical methodologies that help parents and educators stimulate writing from the earliest years of life: TBMB (Teatro de Bonecos Mané Beiçudo), MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), and ThM (Theater Movement). These approaches combine playfulness with cognition, theater with psychology, and place the child as the protagonist of their own learning. From these methodologies—supported by neuroscience and child psychology—emerge ten simple and highly effective strategies for teaching children how to write.

The first strategy is to create a “writing environment” at home and in school. Children need to be surrounded by words, letters, colorful posters, children’s books, and open notebooks. A cozy corner with colored pencils, paper, and accessible chalkboards can function as a permanent invitation to express themselves. MIT studies show that children raised in linguistically and visually rich environments are more likely to develop reading and writing skills.

The second strategy is to use the body as a writing tool. The ThM (Theater Movement) methodology suggests that before children write with their hands, they should write with their bodies: form letters with their arms, draw words in the air, step on letters marked on the floor. Bodily movement activates brain areas related to motor memory and strengthens neural connections that facilitate the learning of writing.

The third strategy involves using storytelling with puppets. TBMB (Teatro de Bonecos Mané Beiçudo) creates a magical world where puppets tell, read, and write stories with the children. Narrative, when mediated by charismatic and affectionate characters, reduces anxiety and increases motivation. Young children feel safer to make mistakes, rewrite, and express themselves more freely when affection is involved.

The fourth tip is to cultivate spontaneous writing from an early age. Even before they know how to form letters correctly, children can “write” letters, notes, lists, and diaries using drawings, symbols, and scribbles. This pre-conventional writing is the beginning of the process. Research from Columbia University indicates that the earlier a child is encouraged to create their own stories, the greater their future language fluency.

The fifth strategy is to work with emotional repetition. The MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater) approach encourages the use of dramatizations where children write lines, sketch scenes, and repeat narratives in various formats. This joyful repetition helps solidify vocabulary and sentence structures. For example, when dramatizing the story “The boy who said no to bullying”, from Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ children’s literature, students can write parts of the story, change the endings, create new characters, and expand the story’s universe.

The sixth tip is to use children’s literature as constant inspiration. Santos has an extensive body of work for young audiences, with titles which stimulate sensitivity, poetic language, and a love for words. Reading these books aloud and proposing writing activities based on them is a fun and affectionate way to encourage writing.

The seventh strategy is to value shared writing. Children learn a lot by watching adults write. Invite them to write a letter to a friend, a thank-you note, or even a family recipe. According to Cambridge University, children who write together with adults develop a greater sense of co-authorship and confidence in their writing.

The eighth tip is to create interdisciplinary projects. A simple example is the “Emotion Journal,” where children write or draw how they feel each day. This can be integrated with school psychology and promotes self-awareness. In this context, writing stops being a task and becomes an exercise in inner listening.

The ninth strategy is to embrace mistakes as part of learning. Correct without judging, encourage rewriting, and show that even great writers revise their texts many times. The book “Moving Letters: The Art of Writing Well” by Santos offers practical exercises that can be adapted for children, always focusing on creativity and freedom of expression.

Finally, the tenth tip is to celebrate writing. Host exhibitions of children's texts, create poetry walls, and promote children's readings or story events. When writing is publicly valued, it becomes a source of pride rather than an obligation. This motivates children to write more—and better.

Teaching a child to write is, ultimately, teaching them to listen to themselves, understand others, and build possible worlds. The methodologies of Antônio Carlos dos Santos show us that with affection, creativity, and science, this process can become an unforgettable experience. May parents, teachers, and educators be inspired by these strategies and give children the right to express themselves with words, with their bodies, with their souls—and with the freedom that only writing can provide.

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