We’ve just started a 7 day trial for this and is seems to be engaging my very reluctant DD. It’s challenging her which is good and and she likes the idea of the story. I’m waiting for her to get some feedback as it will motivate her to hear from strangers more than me!

I’ve now paid for 3 months as it’s the only thing close to writing that DD will do now! She loves that there are positive comments back about her writing and it feels like social media that she’s desperate to be on (but is too young for!).

It’s encouraging her to expand her writing with increased descriptions which has always been a struggle. Also the challenges have rewards for including certain words which is helping with this area.

There are games and drawing which means she is having a break from writing but still building up the stories which is making it more interesting.

Some of it is a bit hard for her and she gives up but I don’t think that’s a criticism of the game, more where her head is at the moment.

There’s a 7day trial so you could give it go.

Hi OP, I know this is a few weeks old so just wondering how you got on? DS is really keen to try this but I'm reluctant to sign up for yet another thing that he'll get bored of within days!

Ah ok. We're going to try the free trial and see what we think!

There's a 50% discount to support the Corov-19.

www.nightzookeeper.com/en-gb/parents/special_offers/facebook-offer52/

We signed up right after the school closure. DS does enjoy it very much. He wants to go there a few times a week.

The philosophy of the website's design does promote improved writing. The intention is to give the right rewards in the right context. In theory, the child can't bypass the hardwork before going up to the next level - which allow them to be stronger to combat the voids (the evil in that world).

They have free writing prompts, lessons, games for grammars and etc. They all aim at motivating the child to learn spellings, new words, write more and improve their writing. DS is probably one on the cheeky side. For quite some time he's done lots of the easy and fun games (for learning words, spelling still and fighting with the voids). He's writing the minimal words in each free writing and never aimed at pass the lessons - just to get by. Overtime, he got bored and frustrated because his animals were weak and he couldn't move up to defeat the voids. I THEN sat down to understand what the problem was and guessed that he probably just didn't work hard enough. I wrote to the support and got their response back fairly quickly which confirmed my suspicion. To be strong and winning in this magical world, the child HAS TO work hard and work properly. They've given me lots of explanation on how the design encourages the right behaviour during learning. I have to agree they put lots of thoughts to make it work.

However, DS is a bit particular. I think to let him do better, it's more than letting him get online and let the website sort all out. He still needs structured support in learning grammars and how to write better.

The website is so complex, I haven't had the chance to sit with him going through all parts of the design. But I do think it's helpful and beneficial at least he has a positive connection with a magical world of writing.