Teach Children How to Create Book Characters

Creating book characters is not just an act of writing; it’s an act of imagination and empathy, a journey where both the creator and the audience learn and grow. Teaching children how to create book characters can foster creativity, improve writing skills, and help them understand the world and people around them more deeply. Here’s a guide to navigating this enriching experience with your young storytellers.

Step 1: Introduce Them to a World of Characters Begin by exposing children to a diverse range of characters from books, movies, and stories. Discuss these characters: What makes them memorable? What do they love? What challenges do they face? This not only broadens their understanding of what a character can be but also sparks ideas about the kinds of characters they might want to create.

Step 2: Dive into Character Traits Explain that characters, like people, have traits that make them unique. Start with simple exercises. For example, ask them to describe their best friend using three traits (kind, funny, brave) and then imagine what kind of character could have those traits. Encourage them to think beyond the surface and consider traits that aren’t immediately visible. What fears might a brave character have? What makes the funny character sad?

Step 3: Create Character Profiles Provide a template for a character profile that includes basics like name, age, appearance, and then dives deeper into likes/dislikes, family, friends, dreams, and fears. Working on this profile helps children understand their characters as whole beings rather than just players in a story.

Step 4: Explore the Character’s World Characters don’t exist in a vacuum; they live in a world that affects who they are and what they do. Encourage your children to think about where their character lives, the people around them, and the events that have shaped their life. This context is crucial for understanding why characters act the way they do and makes stories more compelling.

Step 5: Put Characters into Action Now that they have a character and a world, it’s time to put them into action. Start with simple scenarios: How would your character react if they found a lost puppy? What would they do on the most boring day ever? Activities like this help children understand how their characters operate in everyday situations, setting the foundation for larger stories.

Step 6: Let the Characters Grow As children write their stories, remind them that characters, like real people, can change. They learn from their mistakes, they grow from their experiences, and they might even surprise us. Encouraging this dynamic view of character development will lead to more nuanced and engaging stories.

Step 7: Share and Reflect Finally, create opportunities for children to share their characters and stories. This could be as simple as a family storytime or as elaborate as a classroom character gallery. Sharing their work helps children see the value in their creativity and learn from the feedback of others.
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Tips for Success

• Be Encouraging: Positive reinforcement goes a long way. Celebrate their creativity and effort regardless of the outcome.
• Offer Examples: Sometimes, seeing is believing. Provide examples of character profiles or story excerpts that illustrate the concepts you’re teaching.
• Let Them Lead: While guidance is important, allowing children to make their own choices about their characters encourages creativity and investment in the story.
• Incorporate Art: Some children might express their ideas more easily through drawing. Encourage them to sketch their characters or scenes from their stories.

Teaching children how to create book characters can be a deeply rewarding experience. It’s a process that not only hones their writing skills but also teaches empathy, critical thinking, and the value of storytelling. By following these steps and supporting their creative journey, you’re opening a door to endless imagination and potential.

​Useful video links
0:00 Introduction
0:32 Observation
0:46 Personal Experience
0:56 Books and Literature
01:11 Movies and TV Shows
01:23 Historical Figures
01:37 Mythology and Folklore
01:51 Dreams and Imagination
02:04 Character Classics
02:18 Random Generators
02:34 Interview Your Character
02:50 Collaboration
03:05 Setting and Genre
3:16 Conflict and Relationships
3:32 Character Mashup
03:42 Inspirational Art

RESOURCE LINKS:
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