Blogging can help children further their literacy learning by providing an outlet for personal thoughts and ideas. Blogging is the act of writing consistent articles creating a website about a topic or personal experience.

People write blogs to provide others with information or to keep a sort of journal about their lives. The format and technical aspect of blogging encourages children to write more often. Children gain a sense of accomplishment when they see their own words appear on the internet.

This is a great project for the homeschooled child in that it can be checked by the parent, provides feedback from other readers and allows children to conduct research from home.

This is a writing activity that children will look forward to every day. The very heart of blogging lies in writing about something of interest. As a child blogs about something he enjoys, his knowledge grows and the blog takes on a life of its own. He will want to write more and more. This activity enhances the child’s writing ability and the pleasure he takes in writing.

The public aspect of blogging encourages children to write thoroughly and to check their writing as they want to present their best work. Responding to readers’ comments is another aspect of blogging that motivates children to write and helps them learn how to write for an audience. The educator or parent may check the child’s work and help her correct it before an entry is actually published. Children also enjoy adding to their blogs with pictures, audio/video clips and quotes from other sources.

Blogging provides children with a sense of accomplishment as they can take pride in their work. Writing becomes a positive and enjoyable activity—an everyday part of a child’s life. The importance of literacy is evident in the process of blogging. Educators can use this tool as part of a successful literacy curriculum.

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Jen received her master's degree in Literacy Education in 2003 and since then has worked on helping to grow awareness about children's literacy and writing. Jen has 16 post(s) at Free Writing Center