A child is a human being between birth and puberty. The term may also refer to a developing human embryo or fetus. Legally, children are classed as minors and are not considered to have the same rights or responsibilities as adults, and must be under the care of an adult at all times. The definition of a child varies by culture, perspective, and religion. For example, Christian belief focuses on the value and uniqueness of children and sees them as gifts from God endowed with purpose and belonging.
If you want to write for kids, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the kind of world they live in. Kids are a lot more sophisticated these days, and they want articles that relate to their lifestyles and interests. For example, kids in small-town America might still enjoy swimming at the local pool, but those in suburban and urban areas are likely to be more interested in youth soccer or skateboarding.
To write for kids, you’ll need to understand their language and thinking. Start with a list of the topics that interest them and brainstorm what you’ll need to do to write about those ideas. This will help you create an outline for your article and guide you as you do research.
You’ll also need to decide on a reading level for your article and keep this in mind while writing. Use MS Word’s Flesch-Kincaid grade level tool to help you with this. It will rate the number of syllables per word and words per sentence, and tell you what grade level your text is. Try to aim for a grade level around 8 or 9, but don’t feel you have to dumb down your writing to reach this audience.
Once you’ve done the research and decided on a topic, start writing your article. Take your time and write clearly so that kids will be able to read it easily. If possible, read your article aloud to someone who can give you feedback.
Once you’re finished, you can publish your article. Make sure to follow the Young Children submission guidelines, and don’t forget to include the necessary documentation, such as tables and figures. Also, be sure to use pseudonyms for the names of any children in your article and to avoid identifying any workplaces/schools/programs. This will help ensure that your work meets the publication’s criteria for blind review.