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National Encourage a Young Writer Day

Show some support and care for future generations by getting invovled with this importnat day that helps to foster inspiration for the special craft of writing! How to Celebrate National Encourage a Young Writer Day Schools, non-profit organizations, student groups and so many others can get involved with National Encourage a Young...

Books & Literature Children Education Helping Others Hobbies & Activities Reading & Writing Teens & Youth55

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Inspire young writers and their families to invest in writing tools, journals, and educational resources by positioning your brand as a champion of creative development.

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Gift guide: Best journals and pens for aspiring young writers
Host a free virtual writing workshop or mentorship session for teens
Share student success stories: How journaling changed young writers' lives
Partner with schools to sponsor writing contests or workshops

History

National Encourage a Young Writer Day was established in 2010 with the purpose of cultivating relationships and fostering growth in young writers by giving them special attention on this day.

The event was the idea of Floridian Kim Griswell, who hoped it would inspire and motivate younger writers to keep moving forward with their craft.

By 2012, the event had grown and collaborations with literary organizations, schools and libraries were fostered. As the event grew over the years, global recognition began in countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada who were also celebrating the event.

As National Encourage a Young Writer Day continues to grow, it’s quite likely that the future of writing a literature will continue to become more fruitful as well!

How to celebrate

Host a Writing Workshop

Professional authors, writers and teachers might want to celebrate National Encourage a Young Writer Day by hosting an event that helps them to hone their craft. Invite writing students from local schools to attend an in-person event or have one online that extends the reach of who is able to participate.

Hold a Writers’ Sharing Circle

Mentors and role models for young writers can help them grow in their work by starting a writers’ circle that creates an opportunity for sharing. Young writers can read excerpts from their poems, creative nonfiction or fiction writing, providing a safe space for constructive feedback and encouragement.

Gift a Journal to a Young Writer

Most writers will confess that the best way to become a better writer is to simply write more! Journaling is one of the best practices to hone the craft of writing. While it doesn’t need to be anything fancy, National Encourage a Young Writer Day might be just the time to make a special gift of a blank book, journal or special pen to a young writer to give them a boost of confidence.

Access Resources to Encourage Young Writers

Some people might want to be encouraging to a younger creative but perhaps are looking for some tools and resources to help. Check out a few of these to gets started: Kwame Alexander’s Free Write: A Poetry Notebook by Kwame Alexander Write Yourself a Lantern: A Journal Inspired by the Poet X by Elizabeth AcevedoBecoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice by Michelle ObamaJust Write: Here’s How by Walter Dean Myers

FAQ

How does creative writing benefit children beyond improving their language skills?

Creative writing can strengthen children’s problem-solving, creativity, and emotional regulation, as well as their ability to understand other perspectives. Research summarized by the U.K. National Literacy Trust links creative writing with higher self‑efficacy, better school engagement, and improved mental well‑being, while studies in educational psychology show that narrative activities help children organize thoughts and build empathy by imagining other people’s experiences.

What is the difference between helping a child with their writing and doing the work for them?

Educators recommend that adults focus on asking questions, offering choices, and talking through ideas instead of providing sentences or rewriting whole sections. Guidance from university writing centers explains that effective support highlights strengths, points out patterns in errors, and models strategies, while leaving the final decisions and wording to the young writer so they retain ownership of their work and continue to develop their own voice.

How can adults encourage a child who says they “hate writing” or feels stuck?

Specialists in literacy and learning suggest lowering the pressure, shortening tasks, and connecting writing to the child’s real interests, such as sports, games, or favorite shows. The International Literacy Association and child development groups recommend offering choices in topic and format, allowing dictation or typing for children who struggle with handwriting, and praising effort and specific improvements, which can gradually change a negative attitude toward writing.

Are digital tools like tablets and laptops helpful or harmful for young writers?

Studies on children’s writing show that digital tools can be helpful when they are used thoughtfully, for example by enabling easy revision, spelling support, and collaboration. Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and education researchers notes that keyboards may reduce frustration for some students, but warns that excessive screen time, multitasking, and distractions can undermine focus, so adults are encouraged to set clear boundaries and combine on‑screen writing with regular handwriting practice.

How early can children start developing real writing skills?

Early childhood experts point out that “writing” begins long before correct spelling, with scribbles, pretend letters, and pictures that carry meaning for the child. The U.S. National Association for the Education of Young Children explains that when adults talk with children about their drawings, label items, and model writing for real purposes like lists or notes, they are helping build the foundations of later writing, often starting in the preschool years.

What are some misconceptions about talent and creativity in young writers?

Psychologists and creativity researchers emphasize that strong writing is not simply an inborn gift but a skill that improves with regular practice, feedback, and reading. Work summarized by the American Psychological Association stresses that effort, strategies, and a “growth mindset” are more predictive of progress than any fixed idea of talent, and that labeling only a few children as “naturally gifted” can discourage others from exploring their creative potential.

Why is reading so important for young people who want to become better writers?

Reading widely exposes young people to new vocabulary, sentence patterns, and ways of structuring stories and arguments, all of which support their own writing. Research reviewed by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts shows strong links between frequent voluntary reading and higher writing achievement, while literacy organizations note that reading across genres helps young writers experiment with different voices and styles in their own work.