One of the key inhibitors to children’s development in writing is ‘the fear of the blank page’, coupled with the perceived inability to generate and properly structure ideas. The pressures children face in mastering the technicalities of writing can often exacerbate these difficulties. While spelling, punctuation and grammar are ultimately very important for clarity of communication, children can often become overwhelmed as they try to ‘get everything right’ at the first attempt.

Developing Self-Confidence in Young Writers tackles these issues head on. It offers dozens of practical suggestions for helping children to feel more confident as they strive to master the complex skills that make up the craft of writing. It outlines a two-step approach; giving children a raft of techniques for generating and organising ideas of their own, coupled with ways of thinking about themselves and their progress in writing designed to boost self-esteem.