A radio interview captured my interest today as I was running weekend errands.
Misty Adoniou, a Senior Lecturer in Language, Literacy and TESL at the University of Canberra shared her research which concludes that children who draw before they attempt written tasks produce better writing. This is a strategy I frequently share with parents and teachers of students with language difficulties. Clinically, I’ve seen the undeniably positive impact it can have and now the research proves it!
In short, drawings:
– Can be easily ‘edited’, re-drawn, erased, added to.
– Serve a useful point of reference for teachers and parents.
– Require a verbal or oral explanation which is key for children with oral language difficulties.
So, instead of telling your children they can draw a picture if they finish their writing, have them draw before writing.
For the complete research article: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09500782.2012.704047#.U0pkvq2SwTB