Homeschooling a Reluctant Writer? Here’s What Finally Worked for Us

Let me introduce you to one of my kiddos, who was quite the reluctant writer. At first, writing was a daunting task for them—something that felt more like a chore than a fun way to express thoughts. But over time, we found some strategies that made a real difference.

Our journey began with simple daily warm-ups. We used Curio’s writing warm-ups to build confidence and fluency. Starting in 1st grade, they wrote one sentence a day; by 2nd grade, it was two sentences, then three by 3rd grade. This gradual increase helped develop stamina and ease in expressing ideas. Plus, the prompts were varied and engaging—covering different topics that kept things fresh and exciting!

As they grew more comfortable, we shifted into paragraph writing. To keep it interesting, we explored Curio’s STEAM writing activities. Sometimes these connected to our current studies, other times they related to seasons & holidays or adventurous themes like knights or space explorations. This kept writing relevant and fun, fueling their curiosity.

Next came essay writing. My favorite tool? Google Docs. Not just because it’s easy to share and edit, but because of a personal reason. You see, my middle school ELA teacher had a unique habit of squatting at my desk, face inches away, offering all kinds of editing “help”—not exactly encouraging! That’s why Docs became a game-changer—so I could give my kids the editing support they needed in a relaxed, comfortable way. (Here’s a quick video where I share how I use Docs in our homeschool.)

We started with topics they already knew or were interested in—exploring countries, historical events, inventions, and more. We took it step-by-step: outlining, crafting introductions and conclusions, citing evidence, and giving reasons. The goal was a full essay, and with practice, they became more independent, needing less hand-holding over time.

I know not every family has the time or resources for this kind of structured approach. That’s why I also recommend Curio’s ELA and writing class, CurioWrite. With experienced teachers and live, interest-based, 1:1 virtual classes, it’s a fantastic alternative. These classes aren’t like the remote learning during the pandemic—they’re fun, engaging, and designed to keep kids motivated using online tools, meaningful tasks, and excellent parent-teacher communication.

If you’re interested in helping your reluctant writer make progress with confidence and joy, check out our CurioWrite classes here!