Online Class: How to Write Short Stories for Children

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12Lessons
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20Exams &
Assignments -
11Hours
average time -
1.1CEUs
Course Description
The Art and Craft of Children's Storytelling: Unleashing Your Inner Author
Do you find yourself brimming with stories and ideas that you yearn to share with the world, yet constrained by the hustle and bustle of daily life? You're not alone. Many potential authors are inhibited by their hectic schedules. But what if there's a way to craft tales that not only suit your routine but also have a profound impact on young minds?
Welcome to the world of children's writing—a realm where imagination takes flight, condensed into short yet powerful narratives. Interestingly, some renowned children's authors began their journey by jotting down tales during brief intervals, like during a tranquil lunch break or as their little ones ventured into dreamland.
However, let's clear a common misconception: writing for children isn't a walk in the park. The brevity of children's stories doesn't mean they're void of depth. Editors in the realm of children's literature anticipate well-fleshed characters, immersive plots, and vivid descriptions, all tightly knit into a concise narrative. A skillful children's author will master the art of precision, ensuring every word holds value. The challenge lies in engaging young minds with comprehensible language while avoiding a patronizing tone.
Course Outline:
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Lesson 1: Igniting Your Passion - Begin your journey into the vibrant universe of children's literature, understanding its nuances and potential.
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Lesson 2: Dive Right In - Overcome hesitations, and understand the importance of taking the leap to put your thoughts on paper.
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Lesson 3: Crafting Lovable Characters - Dive deep into the creation of memorable, relatable characters that resonate with young readers.
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Lesson 4: Weaving the Narrative - Explore the intricacies of plotting for children, ensuring tales that captivate and inspire.
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Lesson 5: Painting with Words - Understand how to build vivid settings and the subtle art of description to transport young readers.
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Lesson 6: Conversations that Matter - Delve into the craft of authentic, engaging dialogues that drive the story forward.
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Lesson 7: Story Sculpting - Explore various models and structures that can shape your narrative.
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Lesson 8: Crafting the Initial Narrative - The importance of getting the first draft out, imperfections and all.
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Lesson 9: The Refinement Process - Understand that writing is an evolving process. Learn techniques for revising and refining your tale.
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Lesson 10: Sharing Your Tale - Gain insights into presenting your story to the world, and absorbing feedback.
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Lesson 11: Navigating the Publishing Landscape - Decipher the dynamics of the publishing world, understanding target markets and potential outlets.
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Lesson 12: Persevere and Shine - Writing is a journey filled with ups and downs. Learn strategies to keep the motivation alive and continue your creative journey.
Whether you aspire to pen down stories solely for your children or dream of seeing your book on store shelves, captivating the hearts of thousands, this course offers the guidance you seek. Beyond techniques and methodologies, it promises the joy of molding young minds, sparking their imagination, and leaving a lasting impact.
Writing for children is not just an endeavor; it's a responsibility and a privilege. And with the right tools and guidance, it can evolve from a mere hobby to a fulfilling career.
Step into this magical journey, sculpting tales that resonate with purity, wonder, and endless possibilities. Enroll today, and redefine your narrative, one story at a time.
Course Lessons
Lesson 1. Time Isn't Found, It's Made: Scheduling Tips for Writers
Lesson 1 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-1-Downloadable-20786.pdf
Lesson discussions: Writing Experience; Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: An Introduction
Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam: Let's Go!
Lesson 2. Unlocking the Writer Within: Practical Exercises for Aspiring Authors
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-2-Activity-20787.pdf
Lesson discussions: Do You Write Regularly?
Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment: A Writing Exercise
Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam: Just Do It
Lesson 3. Crafting Kid-Friendly Characters
Lesson 3 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-3-Activity-20788.pdf
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment: Create Your Own Characters
Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam: Creating Characters Kids Will Love
Lesson 4. Creating Tension: The Role of Conflict in Children's Stories
Lesson 4 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-4-WorkSheet-20790.pdf
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment: Creating Conflict
Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam: And Then What Happened? Plot and the Children's Story
Lesson 5. Setting and Sensory Details: The Art of Vivid Storytelling
Lesson 5 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-5-WorkSheet-20791.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam: Setting and the Art of Description
Lesson 6. Dialogue Dynamics in Children's Tales
Lesson 6 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-6-Downloadable-20793.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam: He Said, She said. Dialog in the Children's Story
Lesson 7. Learning from Literary Masters: The Art of Typeovers and Imitation
Lesson 7 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-7-WorkSheet-20794.pdf
Lesson discussions: Your Influences
Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment: Modeling Applications
Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam: Modeling
Lesson 8. Jumping into the Deep End: Crafting Your First Draft
Lesson 8 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-8-StudyGuide-20795.pdf
Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment: Taking the First Step
Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam: The First Draft
Lesson 9. Crafting Immortal Pages: The Art of Rewriting
Lesson 9 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-9-Activity-20797.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam: Writing is Rewriting
Lesson 10. Critique and Confidence in Creative Writing
Lesson 10 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-10-Downloadable-20798.pdf
Lesson discussions: Your First Reader
Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment: Find a Support Group
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam: Don't Despair, Share!
Lesson 11. Finding Your Audience: A Comprehensive Guide to Submitting Your Work
Lesson 11 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-11-StudyGuide-20799.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam: Target Practice: Studying the Markets
Lesson 12. Persisting Through Rejection: The Path to Success for Writers
Lesson 12 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-12-HomeWork-20801.pdf
Lesson discussions: Ready to Start?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam: Don’t Give Up
Assessment: The Final Exam
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate techniques to quiet the inner critic and encourage creative writing practice.
- Recognize strategies to allocate daily time effectively for writing amidst busy schedules.
- Demonstrate the ability to commit to a regular writing routine to overcome self-doubt and develop writing skills.
- Identify different writing exercises to enhance one's writing style and voice.
- Describe the impact of point of view on reader engagement by comparing different narrative perspectives and their effects.
- Identify the factors that make characters relatable and appealing to children by analyzing character traits and situations.
- Define key narrative elements in children's literature, such as conflict and character development, by analyzing examples from classic stories and explaining their impact.
- Demonstrate an understanding of narrative techniques, including high stakes and foreshadowing, by identifying their use and effectiveness in engaging readers in children's stories.
- Demonstrate the ability to replace general adjectives with specific, concrete details to create vivid imagery in storytelling
- Describe a setting using all five senses to enhance the reader's experience in the narrative
- Demonstrate proper punctuation techniques for dialog by revising sample sentences according to provided guidelines
- Define the characteristics of effective dialog by analyzing examples from published children's stories
- Define and distinguish different techniques of learning writing through typeovers, imitation, and riffing from model authors by explaining each process and its benefits.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Student Testimonials
- "I feel like writing again! I will tackle my original book of quotes first then move on to writing for young adults." -- Amy F.
- "Easy to follow and was clear and concise. Excellent!" -- Sharon C.
- "The course and instructor feedback was very helpful. Excellent course." -- Anthony D.
- "Loved the instructor. She was great! Would love to take another class from her." -- Rebecca M.
- "Very enjoyable." -- Julie F.
- "What was most helpful was generally the course content. I'm a beginner at writing childrens stories and found it fascinating." -- Julie F.
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