Using graphics to communicate has a long tradition, as evidenced by Egyptian hieroglyphics and ancient cave drawings to reflect the human experience. The daily routine of recording one's thoughts and feelings can also become integral to a child's life. Encourage your child to keep a journal in words or drawings that express feelings. Your child can draw or pictures that describe what makes him happy, sad, proud, confused or embarrassed. If he can't yet write sentences himself, encourage him to describe his pictures and feelings to you in one or two complete sentences. Write out these sentences next to his pictures. Drawing pictures, or even cutting them out of magazines, will increase hand strength for when he begins writing on his own.