A visually appealing space will encourage children to use the writing center. Paint this section of the room a different color to mark it as a special writing space and attach a clipboard to the wall. Create a shelf space with colorful boxes, drawers and dividers to store pens, papers and journals.
Encourage children to write letters to friends and family and set up a mailbox where letters can be posted. Get students involved with the creation of the post box, painting it red with a small black slot and decorating it with stenciled words or illustrations. Letters can be handed to friends each morning or to parents at the end of the day. There's a good chance the handout ceremony will excite the children enough to put pen to paper and write an enthusiastic reply to their school pals.
Attach a magnetic word wall or clipboard to the wall and encourage children to write down things that they see around the room or little observations -- a children's version of Twitter. The word wall can also be used to liven up writing sessions with play-orientated learning -- a game of hangman or Scrabble where children can put their spelling skills to the test.
Encourage students to decorate the writing center with word posters. They can also make posters for their bedrooms at home. Base posters around any topic that interests the child, or ask the child to pick a favorite poem and turn it into a fun poster.
A supply of stamps and stencils will encourage children to play around with their writing skills and doodle written notes into a notebook -- an especially effective tool for younger children to improve their literacy skills.
Encourage students to start a journal and set aside a slot of time every day for the purpose. Students can write about what they did with their families on the weekend, what they had for dinner the night before, and who they played with at break time. Allow children to bring their own colorful store-bought journals if they wish and allow them to decorate with stickers and coloring pencils to keep their enthusiasm for the project alive.
Children are naturally creative and will enjoy the process of writing a storybook with pictures. Encourage their imaginations by asking them to write magical fairy tales or grisly ghost stories for Halloween. Allowing them to draw illustrative pictures will also spark their enthusiasm for the project.
When the child's creative writing or story is at the desired standard, reward her with publishing privileges, allowing her to type the story into the computer and print it onto fancy patterned or colorful paper. Complete the published look by inserting the story into a binder or special project folder.