Storybird helps kids practice and improve the following skills:

Flexibility:  Trying news things. 

Storybird offers several different types of writing exercises for children, ranging from shorter pieces like poems and comic strips to long-form fiction. For children who may not be familiar with all the different types of storytelling available, Storybird is a great way for them to practice flexibility and try something new. If your child is new to writing, starting with shorter projects or storybooks is a good way to introduce the process before introducing flash fiction or long-form stories. For a child who struggles with being flexible, introduce one new type of writing among the other types that they tend to enjoy or have them complete some of the challenges to earn badges and crowns as an incentive. 

Planning: Developing a systematic approach for setting and achieving goals.

When children are writing stories, they are practicing their planning skills whether they are aware of it or not. Crafting a beginning, middle, and end to a comic strip, storybook, or long-form story requires consideration about what will happen next and how the characters will react to different situations. For children who struggle with making plans, start with smaller projects like comic strips, flash fiction, or poetry before working up to longer pieces of writing. 

Children who struggle with planning may also benefit from some of Storybird’s writing challenges where guided instruction takes them through various writing tips and strategies. Start by doing one challenge and then focusing on one shorter piece of writing that uses what they have just learned.