Why Writing is the Secret Ingredient to Better Reading
When we think about helping our kids become strong readers, we often think of flashcards, bedtime stories, and maybe even phonics apps. But there's another powerful—and often overlooked—tool that can boost your child’s reading skills: writing.
Surprised? You’re not alone. Most people assume writing comes after reading. But research shows that teaching kids to write—and giving them time and space to do it—can actually improve how they read. It’s a two-way street.
Writing Helps Kids Read More Deeply
Kids who write regularly become better at understanding what they read. Why? Because writing forces them to slow down and think. When they have to turn thoughts into sentences, they’re practicing the same mental moves required for reading—like making connections, summarizing ideas, and thinking critically.
Writing Builds Confidence
A second grader once said, “Writing is really fun!” That joy matters. When kids enjoy writing, they take more risks. They explore their thoughts and use their imagination. The more they write, the better they get—not just at writing, but at reading too.
Writing About What They Read Makes It Stick
Reading and writing use the same brain muscles. When kids learn to plan, organize, revise, and edit their writing, they’re also learning to think critically and strategically. These are skills they’ll use when tackling any complex text in school—and in life.
Writing is a Thinking Skill
One of the best ways to help kids understand a story or a textbook chapter? Ask them to write about it. Whether it’s jotting down a summary, answering a question, or retelling the story in their own words, these simple writing tasks make reading more meaningful—and memorable.
Spelling and Sentence Practice Help Reading, Too
Spelling may seem like a separate issue, but it’s tightly connected to reading. Teaching kids how words are built (and how to spell them correctly) actually boosts their phonics skills and word recognition. The same goes for sentence writing. When kids learn how to build better sentences, they become more fluent readers because they’re familiar with how language is structured.
What You Can Do at Home
You don’t need a degree in education to help your child become a better reader through writing. Here are five simple ideas you can start using today:
- Encourage daily writing. It doesn’t have to be long. A few sentences in a journal, a funny story, or even a letter to a grandparent go a long way.
- Ask them to write about books. After reading together, ask, “What would you change about the story?” or “What would happen next?” Let them write it out.
- Use writing in other subjects. Ask them to explain a science experiment or describe a favorite part of a history lesson in writing.
- Play with words. Try word-building games, spelling challenges, or silly sentence mashups to make learning fun.
Celebrate their writing. Hang it on the fridge. Share it with family. Show them that their voice matters.
Reading and writing aren’t separate skills—they’re partners. The more your child writes, the stronger their reading skills become. And vice versa. So let’s move beyond “read, read, read” and add a new mantra to the mix: “Write, write, write.”
Whether your child is just learning their ABCs or tackling chapter books, writing is one of the most powerful tools you can give them. Let them write freely, frequently, and with purpose—and you’ll see their confidence and literacy grow.