The start of a new school year brings with it an age-old question for many parents: Is my child on the right track? Odds are that the core subjects—math, reading and science—have already been drilled into your child’s brain. From spelling words out with blocks (thank you, nursery school) to investigating cells through a microscope lens—parents know that it is their duty to teach their kids these essential skills as early as possible.Yet in the shadows of these educational building blocks lies a subject that receives too little attention and is anxiously approached by both parents and educators alike. We’re talking about writing.

Author and educator Pam Allyn believes that every child is entitled to be both a writer and a reader. In her new book, Your Child’s Writing Life: How to Inspire Confidence, Creativity, and Skill at Every Age, we learn that writing development begins at birth.

Think back to the first time you saw your child sprawled out on a cozy mat, knees bent upon half-broken crayons. There, he concocted his first masterpiece. Perhaps with carefully thought out Crayola strokes, he drew mommy, daddy, siblings and himself. The final touch—

a scribble that legibly read “my family.”

The moment was fleeting, but one thought should have resonated within you: How can my child go from writing such a simple phrase to writing a poem or even a story? What’s more, how can my child go from writing those two words to becoming a lifelong writer?

Writing is everywhere. It is at the root of everyday tasks from text messaging and passing notes in class, to math problems and science labs. But to think that writing comes naturally to everyone is simply not true. Good writing skills do not manifest while a child is writing her SAT essay or fixating on that college paper for entrance into her dream school. Similarly, a child’s fear of the blank page will not dissolve during a class lesson crammed into one grade level.

“Children are hungry for information. We need to cultivate that,” Allyn insists. Similar to other subjects, a child’s knowledge of writing is boundless and there is a lesson that needs to be addressed at each new age bracket.

Enter: Allyn’s fine-tuned “Writer’s Ladder,” which outlines what parents should be doing every step of the way, where a child should be in the learning process at each age, and what books are appropriate to foster the powerful connection between reading and writing in the minds of children.

Starting with newborns, understand that babies take in the information they hear within their surroundings—and this is especially true when they are making noise themselves. Those incoherent (albeit precious) sounds should be not ignored or passively giggled at. Instead, Allyn insists parents join in on the “writer’s babble”—a term she coined to reference the babbling-esque noises babies make—which can help foster two-way communication.

For the toddler group, Allyn advises a big dose of free play—putting on shows, acting out favorite stories—and establishing a tradition of reading stories out loud. Since the toddler stage is also when a child is most observant, parents should join in on their curiosity and ask basic questions such as “What happens first/next/last?” when reading a bedtime tale.

When your kiddo hits five, you should start sharing the thought process behind writing. Prompt your little budding Whitman with phrases like: “My story is about...” and “I thought about this...” From ages 6-9, independence kicks in. Consider introducing them to a writer’s journal, which will the best way to remember moments such as making new friends and embarking upon a new school year.

As parents work to cultivate their child’s writing skills, they should emphasize how much they really want to be there, working side-by-side. “I always felt from a very young age that my parents were interested in my world and what I had to say. That makes a child more willing to talk,” Allyn shares. Throughout her book and in her own family, she stresses the importance of the parent/child relationship—no matter the age.

As a child grows older, it’s important for parents to avoid being too critical and to remain attached to the learning process, even if they are unfamiliar with it after years outside of the classroom. “It is a profound thing that takes trust and risk on both sides,” Allyn advises.

            Strong and passionate writers are those who fell in love with words early on. Go ahead, slip a journal into their crib—we won’t tell a soul. Promise.

Birth-2 years: Active communication is key. Be near your baby and make solid contact. Read aloud from the minute they’re born.

2-4 years: Play is essential. Let them scribble and ask them about their story. Move on to reading concept books out loud.

4-6 years: Introduce them to the computer where they can store some of their writing. Celebrate their developmental spelling skills; be your child’s greatest cheerleader and don’t criticize.

6-8 years: Make sure your child is practicing writing daily. It can be in a journal or on an iPad. It doesn’t have to be long pieces, just snippets. Keep reading out loud!

8-10 years: Move on to chapter books. Talk to your child about character development. Work on projects together such as creating a play, writing a chapter or an alternate ending to a story.

Beyond: Keep the lines of communication between you and your child open. Help your teen find other writing audiences and encourage her to share her work. Make it a point to introduce digital technology, from texting to blogs to Gchat, for more informal writing opportunities.

This non-profit will boost your child’s writing confidence through its popular drop-in tutoring and workshops, as well as field trips—all for free. Ages 6-18.

The JCC In Manhattan

Those with a serious love for words should check out The JCC’s advanced writing workshops which focus on craft, style, revision, clarification, and the ultimate writing prize—getting published.

Pencil Heads

One-on-one tutoring at Pencil Heads will push your child to write and perfect her story in various genres: play, novel, short story, etc.

Scribble Press

Scribbling is encouraged here; with “Parent and Me” classes for little ones and “Scribble Author and Scribes” classes for bigger kids, your child will surely be on the write path.

Writopia Lab

These intense workshops are perfect for tween writers, during which they will review each other’s work and possibly read them out loud at local venues.