How Directed Drawing Helps Kindergarteners Become Confident Writers

“But I don't know how to draw!” If you've ever taught young writers, you've likely heard this phrase more times than you can count. For many Kindergarteners, writing is an overwhelming task—not only do they have to think of an idea, but they also need to form letters correctly, put words into a sentence, and illustrate their story. And for students who lack confidence in drawing, this step can completely halt their motivation to write. But… what if drawing didn't feel so hard? What if students could learn how to draw using simple shapes and lines, building their confidence with every stroke? Using directed drawings for Kindergarten is an incredibly effective way to help young learners overcome their fear of drawing, and when paired with writing, it becomes a powerful tool for encouraging creativity and independence.

Why Some Kids Resist Writing and Drawing

Writing in Kindergarten involves multiple skills, and many young learners struggle for different reasons:

They don't feel confident in their drawing skills:

Many kids hesitate to illustrate their work because they think they can’t draw well. You might hear a student say, “But I don’t know how to draw a cat!” or “Mine won’t look good.” When students lack confidence in their drawing skills, they often avoid illustrating altogether, which limits their willingness to write more.

They don’t know what to write about:

Imagine a student staring at a blank page, unsure of where to begin. Without a clear starting point, young writers may feel overwhelmed and shut down before even attempting to put pencil to paper.

They struggle with handwriting:

Fine motor skills are still developing at this age, making it hard for students to form letters properly. Some students struggle with pencil grip, letter formation, or fatigue when writing for extended periods. Other students get frustrated because their letters don’t look “right,” while others may rush through writing, leading to illegible work. If handwriting challenges are slowing your students down, try these fine motor skills activities to improve handwriting: How to Improve Handwriting with Fine Motor Skills Practice.

They get stuck on spelling:

A student might want to write a sentence but hesitate because they don’t know how to spell certain words. Some students will simplify their writing, using only words they know how to spell, instead of fully expressing their thoughts. For example, a student who wants to write, “I saw a gigantic dinosaur at the museum!” may settle for “I saw a big dino.” because they’re afraid of getting the spelling wrong. Instead of trying, they might give up or keep their writing extremely short. Instead of trying, they might give up or keep their writing extremely short.

For reluctant writers, these challenges quickly build up, leading to frustration and avoidance. These challenges can make writing time frustrating for both students and teachers. But the good news? There’s a simple way to help them feel confident and excited to write.

Teach Kids How to Draw with Simple Steps using Directed Drawing for Kindergarten

Imagine if every child in your class could confidently draw anything they imagined. When students learn how to break down pictures into simple shapes and lines, drawing becomes accessible to everyone—even the ones who say, “I can't draw!” Directed drawing for Kindergarteners teaches students how to illustrate using step-by-step guidance, which helps them gain confidence and stay engaged, giving them the confidence they need to illustrate their writing.

Here’s why learning how to draw step-by-step is a game-changer:

• Builds Confidence – When students see that they can draw, they feel more excited to put their ideas on paper.
• Encourages More Detailed Writing – When students have a strong visual to go along with their writing, they naturally add more details to their sentences.
• Develops Fine Motor Skills – Step-by-step drawing improves pencil control, which supports Kindergarten handwriting practice.
• Boosts Creativity – Instead of feeling stuck, students begin experimenting with adding their own details and personal touches.
• Makes Writing Fun – Drawing first provides an entry point into writing, making the process feel less overwhelming and more engaging.

When Kindergarteners practice drawing daily, they naturally feel more confident about illustrating their writing, leading to better storytelling and phonetic spelling. This makes phonics-based writing activities even more effective! They become eager to add words to describe their picture, setting them up for success as independent writers.

How to Easily Incorporate Directed Drawing into Kindergarten Writing Time

If you’re thinking, “I love this idea, but I don’t have time to add another activity to my already packed schedule,” don’t worry! The best part about directed drawing is that it seamlessly integrates into your existing writing routine.

• Use it as a writing warm-up – Start your writing block with a quick step-by-step drawing activity.
• Incorporate it into morning work – Give students a calm, structured activity that builds confidence at the start of the day.
• Use it as part of phonics instruction – Connect drawing to phonics by having students write a word that matches their illustration.
• Encourage independent work – Once students get the hang of it, they can follow step-by-step drawings on their own.

A daily writing journal for Kindergarten with directed drawing, handwriting practice, and phonics-based writing activities gives students an easy and engaging way to practice these skills every day while building confidence in writing.

The Daily Writing Journal: A Simple, No-Prep Solution

If you love the idea of using directed drawing to build confident writers but need a structured way to implement it, my Kindergarten Daily Writing Journal with Directed Drawing has you covered.

These print-and-go journals combine directed drawing, handwriting practice, and phonics-based writing into one easy-to-use resource. With 180 daily pages, your students will get the daily, consistent practice they need to become confident, independent writers.

Here’s what’s included:

• Step-by-step directed drawings – Students learn to draw using simple lines and shapes.
• Handwriting practice – Daily letter and word formation reinforcement.
• Phonics-based writing prompts – Helps students connect writing with phonics skills.
• Sentence-building practice – Encourages students to expand their writing over time.
• Google Slides version included – Perfect for digital learning or modeling whole-group lessons.

The best part? It requires ZERO prep. Simply print and go, or display the drawings on your SMART Board to use with student notebooks.

Try a Free Sample of these Writing Journals with Directed Drawing for Kindergarten!

Want to see how it works? Download a free sample here and try it out in your classroom today! Your students will love the simple step-by-step drawings, and you’ll love how it builds their writing confidence.

Ready to Help Your Students Gain Writing Confidence?

With the Daily Writing Journal, you can take the stress out of writing time while giving your students the structured support they need to love writing and illustrating their ideas. Whether you use it for morning work, writing centers, phonics practice, or independent work, it’s an easy and effective way to build confident, engaged writers all year long.

• Get the Kindergarten Daily Writing Journal Here
• Need First Grade? Find the First Grade Bundle Here!

Let’s give every child the confidence to say, “I CAN draw, and I CAN write!”