Why kids hate editing (and how to change the feeling)
Editing often feels like criticism to a child. They may equate corrections with being “wrong” and lose confidence. Change the frame: editing is a game that improves a story, not proof of failure. Celebrate ideas first and treat corrections as small upgrades — this protects motivation and keeps practicing fun.
The 2-pass rule: Fix basics first, improve style second
Pass 1 — Basics: capitals, full stops, simple spelling. Pass 2 — Style: better words, varied sentences, clearer verbs. Keep passes short and focused; never fix both at once. This helps a child see visible improvement quickly and keeps confidence intact.
Editing stations (capitals, punctuation, spelling, better words) — simple
Set up four small stations: Capitals (find and fix), Punctuation (full stops and commas), Spelling (common words), Better Words (swap one word to a stronger choice). Rotate quickly so each station feels like a mini-challenge.
Week 20 plan (7 days, 10 minutes/day) — day-by-day
Each day is 10 minutes: a warm-up, a focused station, and a tiny reward or praise. Keep tasks short and celebrate each fix.
Day-by-day (exact)
- Day 1 — Introduce the 2-pass rule and set up stations (10 min).
- Day 2 — Pass 1: Capitals & punctuation (10 min) — scavenger hunt.
- Day 3 — Pass 1: Spelling station (10 min) — quick word checks.
- Day 4 — Pass 2: Better words station (10 min) — swap one word per sentence.
- Day 5 — Scavenger hunt (10 min) — find 5 capitals, 5 verbs, 5 punctuation marks.
- Day 6 — Mix & match (10 min) — rotate through two stations quickly.
- Day 7 — Showcase & reward (10 min) — child reads edited piece and earns a non-money reward.
Scavenger hunt editing game (find 5 capitals, 5 verbs, 5 punctuation marks)
Turn editing into a race: give a short paragraph and a 5-minute timer. Child finds five capitals, five verbs, and five punctuation marks to fix or confirm. Celebrate each correct find with a sticker or a point.
“Better words” mini bank (swap good→great, said→whispered etc.)
Keep a tiny bank of substitutions: good → great, said → whispered/remarked, big → enormous/huge, walked → marched/strolled, looked → peered/gazed. Teach the child to pick one replacement per sentence to improve style without overwhelming them.
Parent scripts: how to correct without crushing confidence
Use short, specific, and positive language. Try: “I love your idea — shall we make one small fix to make it even clearer?” or “Nice line — can we try one stronger word here?” Avoid long lists of corrections. Always show the before and after and ask which they prefer.
Troubleshooting (child refuses, cries, says “I’m bad at writing”)
If a child resists, pause and switch to a playful activity (clap the capitals, draw a punctuation face). If they say “I’m bad at writing,” reframe with specific praise: “You had a great idea — that’s the hard part. Editing makes it shine.” Offer a choice: fix one sentence now, or two tomorrow.
A short sample paragraph with intentional mistakes + how to fix (describe steps)
Sample paragraph with mistakes: "the dog run fast it barked loud and then it sleep." Steps to fix: Pass 1 — Capitals & punctuation: Capitalise The, add full stops: "The dog run fast. It barked loud and then it sleep." Pass 1 — Spelling: change run→ran, sleep→slept: "The dog ran fast. It barked loud and then it slept." Pass 2 — Better words & clarity: replace loud→ferociously, add a connector: "The dog ran fast. It barked ferociously, and then it slept." Read aloud and praise each step.
Reward system that isn’t money (stickers, points, choice time)
Use simple non-monetary rewards: a sticker, a point towards a small privilege (extra story, choose dessert), or five points = 10 minutes of choice time. Keep rewards immediate and tied to effort not perfection.
Done checklist + Week 21 competition prep teaser
- I completed Pass 1 (capitals & punctuation).
- I completed Pass 2 (better words).
- I played the scavenger hunt game.
Finish with a clear praise line: “You made the story even better — well done.” Week 21 will focus on competition-ready rehearsal with timing and props.
Sample parent script to read aloud
“This is editing camp — we will do two quick passes. First we fix the basics so the story is tidy. Then we make one small change to make a sentence sparkle. Ready? I will time two minutes for Pass 1.”