Need help with the idea of written narration

Hi, Liz. Here are some thoughts on your questions.

1.How do you know for sure that the child is ready for written narration?

When the child seems pretty comfortable doing oral narrations and has advanced enough in handwriting that the actions are “second nature” to him; in other words, he doesn’t have to devote his concentration to how to form each letter. As you mentioned, not before age 10 usually.

2. After the narration is written, do you help the child edit it for grammar, puncuation, etc ?

I try to give the child a “grace period” when first making the transition to written. I’m concerned that if I “bleed” all over his paper, he’ll get discouraged with his efforts. So I like to allow some time for the child to find his feet and get used to capturing those fleeting ideas and getting them down his arm and onto the paper before we start into editing. 

Once we are ready to start editing, choose only one aspect at a time to focus on and work on together. For example, if you notice your child has a propensity to switch verb tense throughout his writing, focus on that for a while. Talk about it, give correct examples, correct his errors, then let him practice on subsequent narrations until he’s mastered that aspect. Then move on to a different one.

3. When the child begins written narration what should I expect?  How will I know if its just not catching on?

It seems like if we make too sudden a switch, the child’s narrations shrink dramatically. So you might help make the transition gradually. Have the child start his narration orally, as usual, but with you typing or writing it as he dictates. When he’s winding things up and almost to the end, step aside and let him finish the last sentence or two. Somehow that task doesn’t seem as daunting as starting with a blank sheet of paper. Then gradually, you can start stepping aside sooner and sooner in the process until he is writing the whole thing. Small steps will help make the transition successful.