The write start - Jennifer Hallissy 2010
Tools of the Trade
The Write Stuff
More than mere school supplies, writing tools are required gear for kids at home too. From pencils to markers, crayons to chalk, these simple tools are a young writer’s self-expression essentials.
Pencils
Seriously underrated in this age of techno gadgetry, the pencil has been the workhorse of both young and established writers for generations. And although it may not be able to send and receive text messages (yet), it gets points for working underwater and in outer space, writing fifty thousand words without having to be charged or plugged in, and having its own built-in delete function. All that for about ten cents a pop. Not bad at all.
FYI: Get the Lead Out
Pencil leads are actually lead-free (and always have been). Pencils make marks using graphite, a nontoxic carbon-based substance. Before the discovery of graphite, the ancient Romans used lead to make light marks on parchment, leading them to mistakenly call graphite “black lead” when they found that it made similar yet darker marks.
However, the paint covering pencils can contain trace amounts of lead. Pencils certified by the Pencil Makers Association conform to regulatory standards regarding lead in the paint, so look for the PMA seal when your purchase your pencils. But if you have a pencil biter at home, opt for unpainted pencils, just to be safe.
Pencils are a wonderfully forgiving medium for young writers. Like a tiny beacon perched on top, that little eraser reassures, “Don’t worry! Everyone makes mistakes. No problem!”
Pencils are also available in varieties beyond the familiar No. 2. For example, newbie writers might like a softer lead (such as is found in drafting pencils), which makes a darker mark on paper with less effort.
Shape and size can make pencils more comfortable for developing hands to hold. I prefer smaller pencils for new writers. Golf pencils work well, but they don’t have an eraser, which many kids miss. So I usually modify standard pencils by snipping a few inches off the end with pliers before I sharpen them. Triangular-shaped pencils are also worth a try. Some children find them easier to hold because they can put one finger on each of the three sides, making it slightly easier to achieve the sought-after tripod grasp.
For children who crave a little more bling than the basic pencil has to offer, there is a plethora of ways to personalize your pencil. There are pencils with pictures of favorite characters, exciting pencil toppers, pencils with built-in grips, even pencils scented with your child’s favorite flavor. There are “green” pencils made from recycled materials such as newspapers and (yes!) car tires. And, of course, mechanical pencils can dispense leads with a mere click (sharpener not required).
Pens
All kids are eager to try their hand at writing with a pen, because that’s what they see the grown-ups doing. Pens, however, present some unique challenges for children. They need to be held at a precise angle. Only the perfect amount of pressure will result in a mark. The ink smudges (especially if you are a leftie). If children hold the pen at an awkward angle or use a light touch, even for a moment, their writing disappears. How frustrating! Luckily there are plenty of other, more suitable, options.
Crayons
Crayons are an ideal medium for emerging writers because they provide valuable feedback to little hands learning their craft. When children apply light pressure on a crayon they get a fine, faint mark. Firm pressure produces strong, bold strokes. And since every color imaginable is offered in the iconic box of sixty-four, they inspire a full spectrum of self-expression.
Colorful crayons can be like eye candy to children, so, although it’s wonderful to have a full range of colors available, you might not want to offer them all at once. The sheer volume of choices can be overwhelming and may even distract from the task at hand. I tend to present the rainbow of options in a way that is enticing (I like to keep them in a glass jar), and invite kids to choose a few of their favorite colors before they get to work. Then I put the big container aside. That way the choice is all theirs, but they can move on from the decision making and get on with the work of creating.
High-quality beeswax and soy-based crayons are a luxury appreciated by the artistically inclined, but definitely are not essential for writing success. Typical petroleum-based wax crayons are the best choice for prolific young writers; they are a good quality and affordable staple to stock up on.
Another advantage of these crayons is that they are sharpened to a point, which offers better control for more distinct marks. Eventually, as children’s writing improves and they are able to write more words at a smaller size, crayons will no longer be the tool of choice for writing. Yet they will continue to be useful indefinitely, for illustrating all the short stories of childhood.
Colored Pencils
Functionally speaking, colored pencils are actually more closely related to crayons than pencils. Like their waxy cousins, colored pencils are good for early letter-writing practice. They vary considerably in quality, however, so it’s good to test them out to make sure they make a smooth mark without excessive effort.
FYI: Size Wise
If you’re shopping for writing supplies for your children, you may realize you’re getting some mixed messages. Some items, like primary pencils and chubby crayons, are oversized, supposedly easier for small hands to grasp. Other items, like mini markers and colored pencils, are scaled more in proportion to smaller hands. What’s up with that?
For beginning writers, I choose tiny tools for little hands. Oversized utensils can be hard to maneuver, heavy, and difficult to control. Smaller tools encourage the small muscles to do what they’re supposed to do, and put little hands in a position of greater control.
There is one important (and apparent) way that colored pencils resemble the graphite variety: their shape. This similarity comes in very handy. You see, every time kids use colored pencils, even if they are using them for activities other than writing, they are reinforcing and refining their pencil grasp. Any creating that incorporates colored pencils therefore supports writing, making them a young writer’s best friend.
Markers
There’s a reason they call them “magic” markers. These aptly named tools are so responsive, kids think they’re just amazing.
Right out of the box they produce consistently colorful print. No matter whether a young writer is self-assured or tentative, bold streaks of color appear with seemingly little effort. They are the great equalizer of writing tools, always responding to both the big and small movements of little hands with vibrant marks.
The downside of markers is they can be high maintenance. But teach your children to care for their markers (constantly replacing caps is a must), and it will soon become habit. And be sure to pluck dried-up markers out of the bunch as soon as you notice them so they don’t dull your kids’ brilliant ideas.
DIY: Quill Pencils
Whimsical quill pencils will tickle any young writer’s fancy. Luckily, they’re super easy to whip up.
MATERIALS
colored pencils
colored craft feathers
white glue
embroidery floss
HOW-TO
1. Glue the stem of a colored feather to the top of a colored pencil. Let it dry.
2. Apply more glue to the top of the pencil. Starting at the top and working your way down, wrap embroidery floss around the pencil until you have covered the bottom of the feather.
3. Cut the embroidery floss, and fasten the cut end to the pencil with a final drop of glue.
Write and have fun!
Chalk
Oh, chalk. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. (1) You are so tactile. You help children to really feel their movements as they write, which sends so much valuable information to their eager-to-learn brains. (2) You are so easily correctable. A swipe of the finger, sweep of an eraser, or wipe with a cloth is all it takes to fix any slip-ups. (3) You provide a perpetual blank slate for young writers-in-training. Because your marks disappear, children’s inhibitions about writing vanish as well.
Not to go overboard, but chalk (white or colored) really is my favorite medium for the early stages of learning to write. I have seen so many children learn to write by making and erasing chalk marks over and over until they get it right. I imagine that’s where the expression “chalk it up to experience” comes from!