Writing For Children - Crafting A Story

Drawing on her experience as a published author, professor, and chartered psychologist, Carrie explores what makes children’s stories meaningful, memorable, and emotionally authentic. You will discover the different forms of children’s literature, understand how story works, and learn how to shape characters, voice, and structure for a young audience.

By the end of the course, you will have developed and workshopped your own children’s story — and gained the confidence to continue your writing journey.

Over six weeks, the course will cover:

What Is Children’s Literature?

• Forms and genres (picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade)

• The child reader: developmental stages and psychological perspectives

• What makes writing “for children” distinctive?

• Writing from a child’s perspective

• Voice, tone, and humour

The Nature of Story

• What is a story? (Structure, conflict, change)

• The emotional journey

• Why children need stories

Structure and Language

• Beginning, middle, end

• Building tension and resolution

• Keeping momentum and clarity

• Simplicity vs. depth

• Handling big themes with sensitivity

Redrafting, Feedback and Next Steps

• Editing and polishing

• Sharing and constructive critique

• Pathways to publication and continuing development

Learning Objectives:

Students will:

 understand key forms of children’s literature;

 identify age-appropriate storytelling features;

 create a central character and experiment with voice suitable for a child audience;

 understand basic narrative structure and begin shaping a simple story idea;

 draft a complete short story outline or picture book structure;

revise their draft with attention to emotional resonance and clarity;

 complete a polished draft of a short children’s story and gain strategies for future development.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Identify key forms of children’s literature

• Understand the structural elements of story

• Create believable child-centred characters

• Construct and revise an original short story for children

• Critically reflect on their own writing