I spend so much of my time writing whether it’s blog posts, reflections, poetry, or business content and it never crossed my mind that one day my little boy would start his own writing journey this early.
But here we are.
My little four-year-old (well… technically turning four in just a few days!) has just had his first poem selected for publication in a children’s writing competition.
And I honestly could not be more excited.
His poem was chosen to be featured in a Young Writers UK publication, which means his words will appear in a real book. A book that will be shared in schools and kept for years to come.
As a mum who loves words, stories, and creativity, this moment feels extra special.
And the fact that it’s happening right around Mother’s Day makes it an even more beautiful gift.
The Competition: Young Writers UK
If you’re a parent and you’re looking for creative opportunities for your child, I definitely recommend checking out Young Writers.
They have been running children’s writing competitions since 1991, encouraging young people across the UK to explore their creativity through poetry and storytelling.
Their competitions are also very accessible for schools and families.
Some examples include:
Monster Mayhem (Ages 4–7)
Perfect for EYFS and KS1 children, helping young kids express their imagination through short poems.
The Ridiculous Writers (Ages 7–12)
For slightly older children who want to experiment with humour and creative writing.
One of the nicest parts is that:
• Schools receive free copies of the published book
• Children’s poems are printed in a real anthology
• It encourages confidence and creativity in writing
For many children, it’s their first experience seeing their work published, which can be incredibly motivating.
Why This Moment Means So Much To Me
I write a lot.
Writing has always been my way of thinking, processing, sharing, and building things in the world.
So to see my child already exploring words and creativity even at four years old feels incredibly special.
It’s not about winning or competitions.
It’s about giving children the confidence to say:
“My ideas matter.”
And seeing his little poem being published for the first time is something I will probably remember forever.
Encouraging Your Child To Write
If you have young children, I really encourage you to let them explore writing early.
It doesn’t have to be perfect.
It doesn’t even have to make sense sometimes.
But when children realise that their ideas can become stories, poems, and books, something magical happens.
Confidence grows.
Creativity grows.
And sometimes, just sometimes, you might find yourself celebrating your four-year-old’s first published poem.
Which, I must say…
is a pretty beautiful Mother’s Day gift.
Check, Young Writers.
With Love,
An Intentional Mom (Ayo)
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