Comments on: HOW CAN WE KINDLE CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS IN CHILDREN?

By: Rekha Dhondiyal

Rekha Dhondiyal — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 07:06:35 +0000

In reply to Bhavna Virendra. Great thoughts, extremely well expressed. You have added another dimension to the topic.

By: Rekha Dhondiyal

Rekha Dhondiyal — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 07:02:15 +0000

In reply to SHALINI SINHA. Shalin di, very kind of you to say what you have said. Thanks a ton. Yes, we learn so much from one another.

By: Shobha Pandit

Shobha Pandit — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 05:33:30 +0000

Shalini di has rightly pointed out about the inability of senior students to express themselves in writing. I have felt that a large number of them lack basic grammatical and analytic skills.Grammatical skills are best honed at the primary level.It is difficult to teach the basics to young adults.Essentially,we must cater to the average student who has very little support system at home. A fair amount of guidance and intervention is needed to keep them on the right track so that they can acquire the confidence to express their ideas clearly and effectively.

By: Bhavna Virendra

Bhavna Virendra — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 15:07:30 +0000

I ditto your statement Rekha aunty that there are as many ways of triggering the creative spark as there are teachers and that we must keep what works and weed out what doesn’t…I just want to add that the teachers too have different competence and not all are as blessed as you…creation of the right environment for writing, unleashing the creative spark, no holds barred cannot be successfully achieved by many, even in our own fraternity….English teachers in India start off with the disadvantage of being in an environment of non native speakers of English which makes their task all the more challenging…words flow freely to add meaning and express innermost thoughts and feelings to anyone exposed to an intellectually rich ,stimulating environment but the same can be a struggle for many students even elders who shy away from the written word due to their fear and inhibitions. Any piece of creative writing exhibits and brings forth the writers imagination, experience, repository of words, style and expression. I feel a teacher should introduce the budding writers to distinctive literary styles,genres, special usage of words as in idioms and phrases, form and structure, lexicon, syntax and all regularly over the years only then they will be able to use contextually appropriate words in a lucid manner ,contantly sifting the relevant from the irrelevant and would equip them to modify their drafts . We can broaden their horizon with little help and positive intervention. In doing so a lot of caution is needed so as not to take away the joy of writing…also it has to be a fine blend of freedom of expression with facilitation and guidance bringing forth the best from the writer. Experience and appreciation on the part of the teacher and patience and perseverence for the student are prerequisites to good creative writing.

By: SHALINI SINHA

SHALINI SINHA — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 11:42:17 +0000

Anjana aunty, I think you have well summarised the views of all on the forum.
Thanks to Rekha aunty whose thought provoking article got our brains ticking.

By: Rekha Dhondiyal

Rekha Dhondiyal — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 09:36:40 +0000

I agree100% with you Shalini di. The teacher has to intervene at some point. She has to see the final draft and guide the kids when they go wrong. That’s her job.

By: Rekha Dhondiyal

Rekha Dhondiyal — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 06:51:08 +0000

In reply to Anjana Bhatnagar. Anjana,your last paragraph has hit the nail on the head!

By: Anjana Bhatnagar

Anjana Bhatnagar — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 06:41:45 +0000

Rekha aunty, your lucid expression on creative writing and counter opinions has got me thinking. I begin to wonder, what is the best possible way to make our students proficient and what is the fool proof method to give them general competence in written and spoken English.
For sure children must think independently and freely express themselves. They have the ‘dewy’ freshness and if allowed to express learning and teaching process becomes fun.
But how to strengthen their written skills? Motivating them to read does help them to acquire a passive vocabulary and expression.
Language skills are acquired gradually through constant exposure. The written word gains prominence as one slowly proceeds to identify and use the signifiers of the language through reading and writing.
The study of these signifiers guide us to communicate in a clearer and a more effective manner. To achieve the articulate level of proficiency and capability a well balanced exposure to concepts and rules of grammar is of utmost importance. With interesting activity based learning of grammar rules, the learner is able to achieve greater accuracy. For example, reported speech one has to adhere to some rules.
But I agree bordering on ‘grammar mania’ is drab and must be avoided. ‘Language is better caught than taught’ .
To sum it up, grammar teaching “in the conventional sense” can at best be a ‘walker’ helping the beginner to take a few steps. If used for long it would become a ‘crutch’ – crippling the language user for life. Therefore a happy blend of the conventional and the innate contributes to effective writing.

By: SHALINI SINHA

SHALINI SINHA — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 12:51:58 +0000

First and second drafts are a must. It is at thess points when intervention is required and some do’s and dont’s are discussed.

By: Saida Ahmed

Saida Ahmed — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 06:34:43 +0000

Free play of imagination is possible when children pen down their thoughts spontaneously. Teachers correct grammatical errors to allow good expression. Beyond this intervention, too many don’t cause confusion in the child’s mind restricting creativity. First and second drafts give best results-avoid structures.