Special Education - Leaves Out or Adds Words When Writing

TutorGiant.com

     It is common for some students to leave out words or put some extra ones in their writing.  Sometimes kids are thinking faster than they can write.  Other times, there may be a lack of inner communication between the output and input language centers in the brain.

     Regardless of the cause, you can help reverse your child’s omissions and additions of words while writing.

1.    Purchase (or download) ‘fill in the blank’ worksheets or books for your child to use, then have him read the sentences to you.

2.    You can either make flash cards or buy word cubes at your local education store.  Make sure you have the different parts of speech (i.e. nouns, verbs, etc) on the cards or cubes.  Mix up the cards or cubes and have your child reorganize them to make a complete sentence.  As your child progresses, add more flash cards or cubes.  Your child will have fun playing this game as well as learning how to make a complete sentence.

3.    With your child, proofread and edit his written work.  Each time you do this, work on  omissions  one time, then additions the other time (granted your child does both).  Since these skills are opposites, you should try to focus on one at a time so your child doesn’t become confused.

4.    Have your child edit his or her own work by reading it out loud.  The best way to find your own mistakes is to hear yourself reading.

5.    Make a list of your child’s most common omissions and additions and work on them first.

6.    Make a big deal about quality work by posting it on the fridge or somewhere to be seen.

7.    Find out what types of words your child leaves out and focus on them.  For example, if your child leaves out verbs, find lessons/worksheets that solely contain instruction on verbs.

     It’s just a matter of practice and time before your child outgrows omitting and adding words in his/her writing.  Make sure you speak to your child and clearly explain that he/she is leaving out and/or adding in words when writing.  Tell your child that you will work together to improve his/her writing.

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