Creative Writing & Literary Mentor for an 8-Year-Old
Our daughter is 8, attends a Montessori private school in the US, and reads independently. She loves Greek mythology and science, and makes up her own stories. She is currently working through the Narnia series and has begun to notice beautiful passages.
We want her to go deeper. Not just to read, but to feel how language works. To notice why a sentence lands the way it does. To find her own voice as a writer.
Our goal is not grammar drills, but the deep literacy that underlies all thinking: the ability to read precisely, to be moved by great writing, and to express ideas with clarity and intention.
One piece of context: both parents are non-native English speakers. We are confident in guiding her in many ways, but when it comes to the richness and nuance of English as a native language — that is precisely what we are hoping you can bring. Some grammatical patterns in her speech may also reflect our input rather than her own ability. We mention this so that whoever works with her can come in with the full picture — and propose an approach that feels right to them.
What we're looking for
A native American English speaker who genuinely loves the language — the sound of it, the way a well-chosen word changes everything. Someone who has worked with children around this age and knows how to make literature feel like a gift rather than a lesson. A background in English literature, creative writing, education, or children's publishing would be ideal.
Experience working with children from non-native or multilingual households is a plus — familiarity with the difference between language difference and language disorder, or simply a sensitivity to that context, is very welcome.
Structure
One hour per week online. Whether and how to incorporate between-session activities is something we'd like to discuss and figure out together as we go — we're open to your suggestions.
We want her to go deeper. Not just to read, but to feel how language works. To notice why a sentence lands the way it does. To find her own voice as a writer.
Our goal is not grammar drills, but the deep literacy that underlies all thinking: the ability to read precisely, to be moved by great writing, and to express ideas with clarity and intention.
One piece of context: both parents are non-native English speakers. We are confident in guiding her in many ways, but when it comes to the richness and nuance of English as a native language — that is precisely what we are hoping you can bring. Some grammatical patterns in her speech may also reflect our input rather than her own ability. We mention this so that whoever works with her can come in with the full picture — and propose an approach that feels right to them.
What we're looking for
A native American English speaker who genuinely loves the language — the sound of it, the way a well-chosen word changes everything. Someone who has worked with children around this age and knows how to make literature feel like a gift rather than a lesson. A background in English literature, creative writing, education, or children's publishing would be ideal.
Experience working with children from non-native or multilingual households is a plus — familiarity with the difference between language difference and language disorder, or simply a sensitivity to that context, is very welcome.
Structure
One hour per week online. Whether and how to incorporate between-session activities is something we'd like to discuss and figure out together as we go — we're open to your suggestions.