Sunday, January 5, 2025 by Demitra Bryant | Uncategorized

Why Elphaba's Story Can Empower Your Child to Read and Write With Confidence

Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned girl from Wicked, faced rejection and bullying, but she never let it stop her from finding her voice.

Like Elphaba, many children feel like they don’t “fit in,” especially if they struggle with reading or writing.

But what if her story could inspire your child to embrace their uniqueness and build the confidence to succeed?

With a little creativity and some fun activities, you can use Elphaba’s journey to help your child develop essential literacy skills—and enjoy the process!

Elphaba’s Story: A Relatable Journey for Struggling Readers

Elphaba's green skin made her a target for bullying and rejection, even though she was incredibly smart.

Many children with reading difficulties experience similar feelings of isolation, whether it's from being shy to read aloud in class or acting out to avoid being called on.

Her story shows kids that being different is okay—and that their struggles don’t define their potential.

As a parent, you can use Elphaba’s journey to open up conversations about feeling different, building resilience, and finding their inner strengths.

Helping Your Child Understand Characters Like Elphaba and Glinda

Understanding characters is an important part of improving reading comprehension.

To help your child get to know Elphaba and Glinda, try using a comparison graphic organizer.

Watch the movie together, and after each scene, have a quick discussion about what traits make each character unique.

Ask simple questions like:

• "How do you think Elphaba feels in this scene?"

• "What do you notice about Glinda's attitude toward others?"

This activity not only builds comprehension skills but also encourages empathy and critical thinking.

Rewriting the Ending: A Fun Way to Build Writing Confidence

Writing can feel overwhelming for struggling readers, especially when they don’t receive feedback on their work.

One way to make it fun is by reimagining Wicked’s ending together.

Start by role-playing the new ending as a family—have each person take on a character and act out what happens next.

Record the impromptu performance and use it as inspiration for writing!

When your child begins to write, remind them to include dialogue to bring the characters’ voices to life.

This approach takes the pressure off writing and makes it feel like a natural continuation of play.

Why Tone and Voice Matter in Writing

When children write, they often default to the tone of a narrator, which can make the story feel flat.

Encourage your child to write in the voices of the characters instead.

Ask:

• “What would Elphaba say in this situation?”

• “How might Glinda respond?”

This helps them bring the characters to life and makes their writing more engaging.

Family-Friendly Activities Inspired by Wicked

To set the stage for these activities, start by introducing The Wizard of Oz to build background knowledge.

This classic story helps kids understand the world of Wicked and its characters.

Here are a few ideas to get the whole family involved:

1. Character Talks: Host a family discussion where everyone chooses a character and talks about their traits.

2. Wicked Watch Party: Watch the film version and pause to discuss key scenes.

3. Creative Role-Play: Act out scenes or new endings and then write them down together.

4. Story Swaps: Rewrite part of The Wizard of Oz from a different character’s perspective, like the Scarecrow or Tin Man.

These activities make reading and writing feel like an adventure rather than a chore.

Elphaba’s story isn’t just about magic—it’s about resilience, growth, and learning to embrace your unique voice.

For children who struggle with reading and writing, her journey can be an inspiring example of perseverance.

By exploring her character and engaging in creative storytelling, you can help your child build confidence, improve their skills, and, most importantly, have fun along the way.

So grab a copy of Wicked or queue up the movie, and let the magic of storytelling spark your child’s imagination today!

Ready to help your child discover their inner Elphaba and transform their struggles into strengths? Dive into these fun and creative activities today—and watch their confidence in reading and writing soar! Need personalized support? Contact me now to learn how I can help your child succeed!