How do we help our pupils enjoy writing?
It’s a question many of us are asking. With attention spans shorter, pressures higher, and more time spent on screens, it’s no surprise that writing for pleasure is on the decline. Even in our youngest classrooms, we’re seeing motivation drop.
The National Literacy Trust’s latest report (2025) confirms this worrying trend. Just one in four young people says they enjoy writing in their free time. Even fewer write something every day. Most concerning is the drop in enthusiasm among younger children, especially those in primary classrooms.
But writing should be more than just a task on the timetable. As teachers, we know writing is more than a skill to be assessed. It is a powerful way for children to think, communicate, and express who they are. When pupils enjoy writing, it boosts their confidence, creativity and emotional wellbeing.
At Pobble, this belief is at the heart of everything we do.
Why writing enjoyment is falling?
The 2025 report explores why writing enjoyment is in decline. Key insights include:
- Lack of choice: Children are often told what to write instead of choosing for themselves
- Limited time: Writing gets squeezed out by other subjects or test preparation
- Writing feels disconnected: Pupils don’t always see how it links to their lives or interests
- Low confidence: Many pupils are unsure how to start or what success looks like
The report also highlights something hopeful. Children from lower-income backgrounds were more likely to enjoy writing than their peers, especially when given freedom, support and relevance. These young writers can thrive when they feel empowered.
How do we get pupils writing for pleasure?
The research shows that writing for pleasure improves not only writing outcomes but also motivation, engagement and wellbeing. It highlights three key motivators:
- Choice: Pupils enjoy having the freedom to write about what matters to them
- Style: They benefit from being able to choose the format, whether that’s a poem, story, diary or script
- Personalisation: Writing becomes more meaningful when it connects to their own experiences
When writing feels relevant, children are far more likely to want to do it. This is where Pobble can help.
Turning daily writing into something pupils look forward to
We know teachers want to build writing for pleasure into their week. But finding the time and resources can be tough. Pobble makes it easier by offering ready-made inspiration that’s flexible and engaging.
Here’s how:
💡 365 daily prompts that offer real choice
Our writing calendar gives pupils something new to write about every day. Each prompt is open-ended, visual and designed to spark imagination.
💡 Differentiated resources for every learner
Each prompt includes three levels of challenge. You can support all learners without creating extra work.
💡 Quick Writes and Topic Writes to build stamina
Use Pobble as a warm-up, a cross-curricular task or an independent challenge. Regular writing practice helps pupils build fluency and confidence.
💡 Live Lessons to boost excitementPobble live lessons bring writing to life. Pupils write together in real time, guided by engaging prompts and expert hosts. Teachers often tell us the buzz and energy in the room is unlike anything else.
💡 Images that children actually want to write about
Every image on Pobble is chosen to appeal to children. Whether it’s an underwater circus or a friendly monster, the goal is always to give pupils something fun, engaging and different to explore through writing.
Practical ways to build writing for pleasure
Try a 10-minute daily write
Start the day with 10 minutes of free writing. Let pupils choose how and what to write. It could be a story, a comic, a diary, a list of ideas. No marking, no rules. Just writing for enjoyment.
Create a writing table or zone
Set up a space with prompts, paper, pens, and vocabulary banks where children can go to write when they’ve finished other tasks. Add exciting writing tools, such a glitter pens and colourful paper to make it even more engaging.
Offer choice boards
Instead of one writing task, give pupils a menu of options: write a letter, a diary entry, a script, or a blog post. This builds autonomy and motivation.
Link writing to real life
Ask pupils to write a review of their favourite game, write instructions for a recipe they love, or retell a family memory. Personalisation is key.
Celebrate writing regularly
Display it in the classroom, post it on Pobble (if you're a Pobble School), or host a ‘Weekly writing celebration’ where children read their favourite line to the class.
Make writing for pleasure part of every week
Writing for pleasure doesn’t need to be a one-off activity. With the right support and prompts, it can become a consistent part of classroom life.
By making space for pupil voice, offering variety, and turning writing into an adventure rather than a task, we can help more children rediscover the joy of putting pen to paper.
You don’t need to change everything. Just start small:
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Use a Pobble prompt as a morning starter
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Challenge pupils to write in a new style (comic strip, poem, news report)
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Set up a weekly “free write Friday” where the only rule is to enjoy writing
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Try a Pobble live lesson and let the buzz speak for itself
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Let pupils illustrate their writing, creativity counts!
You might be surprised how quickly writing becomes something your pupils look forward to.
