As a child, I could not stop writing once I learned to use a pen. I wrote my first short story at eight years old based on my little black Scotty dog, and that's when I fell in love with the craft of creative writing. Little did I know that this first story would start a creative habit that benefited my health. I grew up with Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder that causes severe dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, and hearing loss which lead to severe anxiety and bouts of depression throughout my childhood until young adulthood. However, I can honestly say that creative writing and journaling helped to counteract the depression and anxiety I felt.
The act of creative writing helped me to manage the anxiety and depression enough to be able to enjoy the happy times with family and friends and things that I loved like, theatre, movies, reading, and nature. I also loved water skiing, parks, and the beach and I still do!
To this day, the mindful act of writing helps me connect with nature, animals, and my own spirit because creative writing and art allows me to exist peacefully. Some of my favorite writing places is in our garden, beneath a tree, or on a sandy beach. Writing has always been like meditation, and I am grateful for having discovered the benefits of writing at a very young age.
Today it has been proven by art therapists that creative writing, journaling, and art, are known to have therapeutic benefits for children and adults. Not only does creative writing help ease a child's suffering from anxiety and depression, but according to the simpleK12.com, creative writing encourages kids to exercise their creative minds and use their Imagination. This broadens their thought processes which can lead to success in problem-solving and analysis. Creative writing is also a beneficial tool for children to express their feelings. Writing allows children to assert themselves, develop their voices, and strengthen their self-confidence. Creative writing also improves communication and persuasion skills.
Writing a narrative story involves a great deal of planning, organization, and use of language to express one's point of view, especially when using fictional characters to explore an idea or theme. Writing is excellent practice for kids to lay out their thoughts and communicate their point of view.
Creativity seems to diminish as we get older, unless we make a point to practice being creative every day, which is why it is so important to encourage your children to write and be creative, and use their imaginations. Praise them when they do. Encouraging them will help build their confidence to communicate their thoughts, and feelings. Then when they are ready to share their stories, consider publishing them on a kid-friendly site called scribblett.com. I wish this site had existed when I was a child myself! I encourage teachers and parents to check it out! Also, I would love to read the stories your children write! If your child is willing to showcase their work, and would like their writing to be shared in one of my blog posts, email your child's first name, age, and grade level to authorginavallance@gmail.com.
Happy writing!
Gina Vallance :)
