How NaNoWriMo Works for Families

Because NaNoWriMo can be a rigorous, time-consuming challenge for students, it’s important that families understand the event and provide support for their children’s creative efforts. These are a few suggested steps.

Are you an educator working with young writers? Consider sending home our "How NaNoWriMo works for Families" letter in English or Spanish. We also have a YWP Website Permission Form if your district requires you to obtain parent permission. 


1. Understand what your child is working on this November.

 


2. Be aware of our site’s legal terms, and how your child is protected.

IMPORTANT DETAILS: A parent or educator must review the Terms & Conditions before a child may establish an account.
 


3. Check with your child’s educator to understand the structure and expectations of NaNoWriMo in their classroom.

Some questions to ask:

  • What is my child’s word-count goal? How was it chosen?
  • Will my child write primarily in class? If not, how can I best support their writing at home?
  • What do you hope my child will get out of this challenge?

  • How will my child be graded? (We do not recommend grading quality of writing in November - first drafts are supposed to be messy!)

 


4. Talk to your child about their novel.

Some questions to ask:

  • What are you writing about? Tell me what happened in your story today!
  • What's your main character like? 
  • What's the most exciting part about writing a novel?
  • What's the most challenging part about writing a novel?
  • How can I help you finish your novel this month?

 


5. Consider joining up.

Incredible things happen when families make things together. Try writing your own novel as part of our NaNoWriMo adult program! Or sign up with an educator account here on the YWP site to write in a classroom with your child. 

 


Read more on our Help & FAQ page.